Serbian Orthodox Church

NGO against marking of St. Sava's Day in schools

BELGRADE -- The Movement for Enlightened Society NGO has said that the marking of St. Sava's Day as the patron saint day of schools "violates the principle of secularity."

They also asked if the feast was "meant for all students or only for those of Orthodox faith."

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic stated on Thursday that he and Serbian Patriarch Irinej have discussed a draft platform for Kosovo-Metohija which, as he put it, will be acceptable for Serbia and will not jeopardize its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Vucic and SPC patriarch meet, discuss Kosovo

BELGRADE -- Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic met on Tuesday in Belgrade with Patriarch Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC).

During the meeting the prime minister informed the head of the Serbian Church about his recent visit to Kosovo and Metohija.

Macedonia: Bishop kept in jail despite deal to release him

SKOPJE -- The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Skopje has filed a complaint against a decision to release Bishop of Ohrid Jovan, thus keeping him in jail.

Previously, a court decided that Bishop Jovan should be granted conditional release, and set free on January 19.

Serbians welcome in "Orthodox" New Year

BELGRADE -- Tens of thousands of people across the country on Tuesday celebrated the beginning of the new year according to the Julian calendar.

This is the calendar adhered to by the Serbian Orthodox Church, so the January 13 festivities are sometimes referred to as the Orthodox, or Serbian New Year.

Archbishop to be released after Russian mediation

SKOPJE -- A court in Skopje has ruled that the head of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric, Jovan Vraniskovski, will be granted conditional release on January 19.

SKOPJE, MOSCOW - The criminal court in Skopje has ruled that the head of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric, Jovan Vraniskovski, be granted conditional release on January 19, while the canonically unrecognised Macedonian Orthodox Church (MPC) expects a dialogue with the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) on its status to begin afterwards, with mediation from the Russian Orthodox Church (RPC).

KLA graffiti appears on Serbian Orthodox church walls

LIPLJAN -- Graffiti spelling out the Albanian acronym for "the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)" - UCK - appeared on the walls of a Serbian Orthodox church in Kosovo.

The Church of Saint Flora and Lavre in the town of Lipljan was found defaced in this way on Saturday morning.

BELGRADE - Bishop Irinej of Backa sent a letter of condolences to the families of individuals killed in the terrorist attack in Paris.

Patriarch hopeful prime minister "could succeed"

BELGRADE -- Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Irinej believes that Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic could be able "to raise Serbia from the ashes."

'' I think that (Vucic) is trying. There are some indications that there will be results,'' the patriarch told the Nedeljnik magazine.