Abbot Sava informed the diplomats about the problems faced by the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo

Visoki Decani Monastery announced that during today's visit of thirty diplomats to the monastery, Father Sava had informed the diplomats about the most important problems faced by the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo. Father Sava clarified the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church on its future and securing its long-term legal status, the protection of the Serbs and their human rights, and the preservation of the holy places of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

"Today we had the extraordinary honor of hosting about thirty heads of international missions, ambassadors, and other diplomats accredited in Kosovo in the Visoki Decani Monastery. The immediate reason for this gathering was the intention to confirm strong international support for the implementation of the decision of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo from 2016, which concerns the land of the Decani Monastery and which the Kosovo authorities have not implemented yet. This decision of the court was decisively supported a few days ago by the ambassadors of the Quint countries and the heads of the EU and OSCE missions in Pristina on the occasion of its seventh anniversary. In addition, this was also an opportunity to express strong support for the respect of rights and respect for religious freedom for all communities in Kosovo and Metohija," the statement on the Twitter account of the Visoki Dečani monastery states.

As it was pointed out, on behalf of Bishop Teodosije, the abbot of the Decani Monastery Sava Janjic had received and welcomed the guests, and after a short tour of the church, the guests had gathered in the meeting hall for a one-hour conversation.

"Expressing deep gratitude for their visit and support, Father Sava informed the diplomats about the most important problems faced by the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija and how the Church sees the way forward. The head of the EU mission in Kosovo, Mr. Szunyog, the US Ambassador Hovenier, the head of the OSCE mission and Davenport, the German Ambassador Rohde, the head of the UN mission in Kosovo Ziadeh, the Commander of KFOR, the Italian General Ristuccia and other diplomats actively participated in the discussion.

Father Sava answered questions and clarified the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church on its future and securing its long-term legal status, to protect our people and their human rights and to preserve the holy places of the Serbian Orthodox Church," the announcement states.

He emphasized, it was added, that solving the legal problems of the Serbian Orthodox Church could significantly contribute to the improvement of multi-ethnicity and tolerance in Kosovo, which would benefit all communities and the further process of dialogue.

After the conversation, the monks from Decani prepared lunch for all the visitors in the dining hall of the Monastery.

"This event really represented an opportunity for an open exchange of opinions, discussion of a number of issues, and, above all, for strengthening the ties between our Church and the international diplomatic community accredited in Pristina. In the end, Father Sava expressed his gratitude to all visitors for their understanding and effort to reach the Monastery together. He expressed the hope that this event would remain in the memory first of all as a pleasant gathering in one of the most important religious and cultural facilities in Kosovo and Metohija," the statement concludes.