Council of Bishops of Serbian Church calls to free Archbishop Jovan VI of Ohrid / Православие.Ru

Belgrad, May 22, 2013

On the first day of its work, the council of Bishops of the Serbian Church has addressed all democratic institutions of Serbia and the whole world, calling upon them to help release Archbishop Jovan (Vraniskovski) of Ohrid, who is still detained in the Macedonian prison in Skopje.

Bishop Irenej of Backa who had spoken with the MEDIA representatives on behalf of the council, has expressed his hope that other Churches and religious organizations would give prayer and moral support to the imprisoned hierarch—the head of the canonical autonomous Archdiocese of Ohrid.

According to Bishop Irenej, the imprisoned hierarch is kept "in inhuman conditions", lacks necessary medical aid and his health has greatly deteriorated.

The Bishop has also informed journalists about the initiative of Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral to canonize Metropolitan Petar II Petrovic-Njegos. This question will be considered by the special commission of the council and then the council will make its own decision.

Bishop Irenej has also said that within the framework of the celebration of the anniversary of the Edict of Milan, on June 3, the feast-day of Holy Emperor Constantine, Equal-to-the-Apostles, celebrations in which members of the council of Bishops will participate are to take place in the town of Nis.

"On that day the whole council will be present at the Liturgy. A solemn message will be delivered to the faithful".

The delegation of the council headed by Patriarch Irenej of Serbia will also take part in the burial of the remains of members of the royal Karageorgievic family in St. George's Oplenac Church, reported Bishop Irenej of Backa on May 22.

Pravoslavie.ru