Eparchy of Raska and Prizren: Absolutely false claims about a "foundational agreement" with Pristina

The Eparchy of Raska and Prizren stated today that claims regarding the existence or preparation of an alleged “foundational agreement” between the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) and Pristina are absolutely false, describing such assertions as a malicious fabrication with no basis in reality.

In its statement, the Eparchy emphasizes that any claims about the existence or drafting of any agreement between the SOC and Kosovo institutions are entirely untrue and a deliberate construction, without any basis in reality.

“No text, draft, or proposal addressing the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church as a ‘contractual party’ in relation to the government of Kosovo has ever existed or is under consideration in any SOC body, neither the Assembly nor the Holy Synod, nor has it ever been submitted to His Holiness the Patriarch or the Eparchy of Raska and Prizren,” the statement read, responding to an article published by the daily Danas and circulated by the “Movement for the Restoration of the Kingdom of Serbia.”

They further add that the contents of the allegedly leaked “foundational agreement” are clearly a legally illiterate and politically motivated fabrication that could not have originated within any official body of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

“In particular, the insinuation that the SOC would agree to such an agreement that would pave the way for the formation of a ‘Kosovo Orthodox Church,’ which would in the long term seize Serbian holy sites, is an outrageous slander against our Church and its historical witness and suffering in Kosovo and Metohija. It is also a painful blow to our clergy, monastics, and faithful people during these difficult times,” the statement adds.

The Eparchy recalls that in its official statement from October 2024, it had already refuted these and similar false claims, originally made in bad faith by Momir Stojanovic from the “Serbian National Council of Kosovo and Metohija”, as a crude attack on the Church’s efforts to preserve its centuries-long presence in Kosovo and Metohija.

“The latest publication by POKS and the article in Danas sadly demonstrate the same lack of even the most basic respect for the truth and for our Church’s struggle for survival. For this reason, we categorically reject all claims from certain media outlets about the alleged participation of SOC hierarchs in any negotiations or talks on this matter. These articles not only mislead the public but also seek to destabilize internal church discipline and sow unrest among the faithful,” the statement continues.

The Eparchy emphasizes that the Serbian Orthodox Church and its Eparchy of Raska and Prizren have always advocated for the survival of the Serbian people, the respect of Church rights and freedoms, and the preservation of spiritual and cultural heritage in Kosovo, with strong guarantees from the international community.

“The Eparchy of Raska and Prizren calls on all media, especially those covering matters of national importance, to verify the truth with competent institutions before publishing such serious claims, rather than relying on unofficial fabrications from social media and websites, with no regard for the consequences,” the Eparchy stated.

The Serbian Orthodox Church, the statement concludes, will continue, just as it has until now, to protect its sacred sites, faithful, and cultural-historical heritage in Kosovo with full dignity and spiritual responsibility, without any politicization, and in accordance with its Gospel principles.