Bishop Irinej: SOC priests are not welcome in Kosovo because they prove the centuries-old presence of the Church in that area

The Serbian Orthodox Church is the majority owner of the land in Kosovo, which is why they don't want the presence of the SOC there. Wherever there are monasteries, churches, priests, and monks, they are not welcome because they demonstrate the Church's centuries-old presence in that area, Bishop Irinej of Eastern America stated.

He, speaking at the gathering dedicated to Kosovo in Washington, organized by the Embassy of Serbia in the United States, reminded that the Serbian community in the US understood the cause for which it was uniting.

"If you look at the names we use for our province, we don't speak of Kosovo but of Kosovo and Metohija, with 'Metohija' meaning religious property in Greek. The Church is the majority owner of the land in Kosovo and Metohija, which is why they don't want the presence of the SOC," Bishop Irinej noted.

He stressed that it was essential for all people from the diaspora to be ambassadors for their country regarding the pressing issue of Kosovo.

"We need friends. We need to rebuild relationships. Everyone should ask themselves what they can do, and each of us can do a lot," Bishop Irinej stated.

He reminded that the SOC's participation in the Vienna negotiations prevented the establishment of a new Kosovo Orthodox Church, which would have violated the church's canonical rules. Additionally, he said the proposal that monastery abbots had to be of Kosovo origin, had also been blocked.

"With the help of US Senator George Voinovich, we managed to prevent the burning of the Visoki Decani Monastery during the Pogrom. One person succeeded in preventing that. Everyone has their political representatives, local congressmen, speak with them. Arm yourselves with the truth, and knowledge. Do something; you vote for them and have the right to demand what you want for your people. Others do this; they are proactive. If we do that, we will be able to move forward," Bishop Irinej said.

He stated that Congresswoman Claudia Tenney had told him how challenging it was to defend the Serbs because of the media's image and to convince her colleagues that the Serbs were good people.

"She knows the Serbs very well; she's trying to convince her colleagues, but she can't do it alone. She needs help. We have the Serbs living in her district, and my intention is to invite her to the church to express our gratitude. Helen Delich Bentley from Baltimore is an example for everyone with her perseverance. When I go to church, I think about whether we can nurture a congressman, a judge, or a president. That's our task. My appeal is that we go together, hand in hand. Together we are stronger," Bishop Irinej said.