Тhe new Diocesan Internet Web-site is available at: http://www.eparhija-prizren.com

 

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Bishops Atanasije and Teodosije receive the head of UNMIK and the KFOR commander in Gračanica Monastery

Today (March 2), at 11 o'clock in Gračanica Monastery Bishop Atanasije, the administrator of the Diocese of Raška and Prizren, and Vicar Bishop Teodosije received Lamberto Zannier, the head of UNMIK, who was accompanied by Mrs. Elizabeth Orlando and Mr. Dmitry Shlapachenko. Mr. Zannier wished Bishop Atanasije luck in his work and expressed the hope that cooperation between UNMIK and the Serbian Orthodox Church will continue to be successful, as it has been with regard to the restoration of holy shrines destroyed in March 2004. Since the mandate of the Commission for Reconstruction, in which UNMIK officially represents Kosovo provisional institutions, expires at the end of this year, Mr. Zannier expressed readiness to assist in finding a model for continued restoration of churches, including those destroyed before March 2004, which would be acceptable to all interested parties. Bishop Atanasije thanked the guest for his understanding and cooperation so far, expressing readiness for further cooperation by the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Diocese of Raška and Prizren, although he noted that he is only a temporary administrator until the meeting of the (Holy Assembly of Bishops).

Talking with KFOR Commander General Markus Bentler

Today at 2:30 p.m. in Gračanica Monastery Bishop Atanasije, the administrator of the Diocese of Raška and Prizren, and Vicar Bishop Teodosije received the KFOR commander German general Marcus Bentler and the commander of Zone “Center” Finnish general Seppo Toivonen. General Bentler stressed that KFOR remains committed to the protection of the monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, adding that KFOR will not stay in Kosovo forever and that it is therefore necessary to gradually prepare the ground for the inclusion of other types of protection for the monasteries, referring to the Kosovo Police.

Bishops Atanasije and Teodosije emphasized that there is still no confidence in the Kosovo Police by the SOC because of bad experiences in the very recent past, and that the eventual withdrawal of soldiers from those monasteries that are in Serbian regions, e.g. Gračanica, could have not only security but also political consequences that are very negative and discouraging for the entire Serbian community. The situation in the entire region and particularly in Kosovo is still unstable, said Bishop Atanasije. In the end it was concluded that all the moves related to the safety of monasteries must be coordinated between KFOR and the Serbian Orthodox Church and that, as General Bentler put it, "there cannot and will not be any surprises” in this regard nor rush in implementation. Bishop Atanasije stressed that his service as administrator is only temporary and that his mandate cannot extend to such questions, that for this reason haste would certainly be a bad thing, and that situation should remain the same as before.

This was followed by a discussion regarding the enthronement of His Beatitude Patriarch Irinej in Peć, in which KFOR is interested in order to ensure full security. It was stressed that this ceremony has been delayed until the autumn in order to carry out all necessary preparations and give guests, especially high dignitaries of the Church, the opportunity to plan their visits in a timely manner. The bishops emphasized that this event will have a primarily religious character, in order to serve the peaceful coexistence of all who live in Kosovo and Metohija. The general pledged the full support of KFOR for our Church in this regard.

Bishops Atanasije and Teodosije served the Liturgy in Velika Hoča (Sunday 28.Feb)



The administrator of the Diocese of Raška-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija Bishop Atanasije today (Feb 28) served the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the church of St. Stephen the Protomartyr in Velika Hoča with the concelebration of Vicar Bishop Teodosije of Lipljan and a number of priests of the Diocese of Raška and Prizren. Bishop Atanasije delivered his homily to the gathered faithful, monks and nuns of the feast day of St. Gregory Palamas on the meaning of Christian life, Communion and liturgical community within the Church of Christ. The church was crowded and a lot of the children took communion.


After Holy Liturgy Bishop Atanasije distributed candy and copies of the Serbian Orthodox Church’s magazine for children, Svetosavsko Zvonce, to the children, jesting and talking with them. He then visited the Dečani wine cellar and learned about wine production in the Hoča region. Bishop Atanasije, as the newly appointed administrator of the Diocese, also met with the priests who were present.


Bishop Atanasije also visited the monastery of St. John together with Bishop Teodosije. The monastery administrator, protosingel Miron, and the brotherhood welcomed the bishops.
  

    

  

Monday, March 1, 2010

Bishop Teodosije receives high delegation of the Italian Parliament

His Grace Vicar Bishop Teodosije of Lipljan received today (Mar 1) in Visoki Dečani Monastery a high delegation of the Italian parliament. Mr. Stefano Stefani, chairman of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, led the delegation.

During discussion with the Italian parliamentarians Bishop Teodosije spoke about the problems faced by Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, especially in the realization of general human rights and property rights. Bishop Teodosije mentioned that many Serbian families, especially in Metohija, still could not recover their confiscated or usurped land, which is a form of pressure on the Serbs to sell their land. Later discussion concerned the need to protect the identity and property of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija.

The high delegation of the Italian Parliament is presently visiting Kosovo and Metohija, where it also visited the Italian forces within KFOR.