Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric

The Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric (Serbian, Macedonian: Православна Охридска Архиепископија, Pravoslavna Ohridska Arhiepiskopija) is an autonomous Eastern Orthodox archdiocese in the Republic of Macedonia. It is the only canonical Orthodox Church in the Republic of Macedonia and is in full communion with all other Orthodox Churches.

The Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric has been refused registration by the Macedonian State Religion Commission on the grounds that one group may be registered for each confession and that the name was not sufficiently distinct from that of the other Orthodox churches, which consider its unilateral 1967 declaration of autocephaly a breach of canon law.

The Archbishopric claims inheritance from the Ohrid Archbishopric of Justiniana prima and all Bulgaria (Bulgarian: Охридска Архиепископиия на Юстинияна първа и цяла България, Greek: Αρχιεπίσκοπος της πρωτης 'Ιουστινιανης και πάσης Βουλγαριας), founded in 1019, by Basil II.^[2]

Autonomy

In attempt to restore its canonical status and gain recognition from the Orthodox churches, the Macedonian Orthodox Church negotiated with the Serbian Orthodox Church, and these negotiations led to an eventual agreement signed in Niš in June 2002, thus known as the Niš Agreement.^[3] The agreement was signed by all bishops of both delegations. However, the bishops of the delegations of the Macedonian Orthodox Church were exposed to severe criticism for signing this agreement, and although they attempted to defend it for a short time,^[4] the Synod of the MOC rejected the agreement.

The Patriarch of Peć then summoned all bishops, clergy, monastics and faithful people to enter in liturgical and canonical unity with the Serbian Orthodox Church. Jovan Vraniskovski, Metropolitan of Veles and Povardarie, and all priests of Veles agreed to respond to this call, and all signed a document of agreement.^[5]

On 23 September 2002, Metr. Jovan was appointed Exarch of all the territories of the Ohrid Archdiocese by the Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church. On 25 December 2003, he was elected Chairman of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric, after it had been constituted.^[6]

On 24 May 2005, he was confirmed by Patriarch of Peć as Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje in accordance with the Niš Agreement. On the same day, there was an announcement of the Patriarchal and the Assembly's Tomos for Autonomy of the Ohrid Archbishopric,^[7] with Archbishop Jovan as the Chairman of the Holy Synod of Bishops.^[8]

Structure

Map of the seven diocese of Macedonia

As of 2009, the Macedonian Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric is headed by Archbishop Jovan VI of Ohrid and Macedonia. He presides over the Holy Synod of Hierarchs of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric, consisting of 4 metropolitans and titular bishops.

Dioceses on the territory of Republic of Macedonia:

1. Archdiocese of Skopje, headed by Archbishop Jovan VI of Ohrid and Macedonia;
2. Diocese of Prespa and Pelagonia, vacant;
3. Diocese of Bregalnica, headed by Bishop Marko;
4. Diocese of Debar and Kičevo, vacant;
5. Diocese of Polog and Kumanovo, headed by Bishop Joakim;
6. Diocese of Veles and Povardarie (Vardar), vacant;
7. Diocese of Strumica, vacant;

The Holy Synod of bishops was constituted on 23 December 2003 in the monastery of Saint John Chrysostom. The current members of the Synod are:

• Archbishop John (Vranišovski) of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje; locum tenens of Veles and Povardarie.
• Bishop Joachim (Jovčevski) of Polog and Kumanovo; locum tenens of Debar and Kicevo.
• Bishop Mark (Kimev) of Bregalnica; locum tenens of Prespa and Pelagonia.
• Vicar bishop David (Ninov) of Stobi; locum tenens of Strumica.

The Archbishopric uses Old Church Slavonic language.

Persecution

Upon entering in the canonical and ecclesiastical unity with the Serbian Orthodox Church, and through that with the whole community of Orthodox Churches, Archbishop Jovan was expelled by the police, without a court order, from his residence and cathedra in Veles on 7 July 2002. In the same manner, illegally and without a court order, the monks of four monasteries, were expelled from their monasteries, i.e. homes, in January 2004, immediately after joining the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric.^[9][10] A fifth monastery, Saint John Chrysostom in the village Nižepole near Bitola, was broken into by armed and masked men, who not finding the Archbishop Jovan they were after, harassed and threatened the nuns with machine-guns, cut their hair and set the monastery on fire, in February 2004.^[11][12]

Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric buildings were raided by the police.^[13][14] The Church in the Saint John Chrysostom monastery was demolished by the state authorities on 15 October 2004.^[15] The chapel St. Nectarios of Aegina, after being broken into and vandalized on several occasions, was at the end completely demolished on 12 July 2005. The priest who served at that chapel, Fr. Borjan Vitanov, was beaten up twice.^[14] Additional complaints of harassment have been reported.^[14]

Archbishop Jovan was sentenced to 18 months of prison in June 2005 for Instigation of ethnic, racial and religious hatred, discord and intolerance. The verdict stated the conviction relied on these three points:^[16]

1. he wrote a text in a religious calendar in which he slanders the Macedonian Orthodox Church
2. he agreed to be appointed as an Exarch of the Ohrid Archbishopric in Macedonia and participated in the ordination of the bishops Joachim and Marko and
3. he officiated at a religious service in an apartment owned by his parents.

He served 220 days in prison before the Supreme court declared the last two of the three points to be unconstitutional and his sentence was shortened to 8 months.^[17] Archbishop Jovan was sentenced for the second time, on charges for Embezzlement, and as a second defendant was sentenced to a higher prison term of 2 years than the first defendant (who was sentenced 1 year and 3 months) in 2006. He served 256 days before being released.^[18]

The declaratively secular state legalized its identification with a specific religious community Macedonian Orthodox Church, through the Parliament’s "Declaration for support of the autocephaly of the MOC" reached on 23 January 2004.^[19][20] The Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric is denied registration by the state authorities.^[21][22][23] Orthodox clergy is not allowed to enter the country.^[24][25][26]

International reactions

• The United States Department of State constantly includes in its "Religious Freedom Report" and "Human Rights Report" information regarding the restrictions of the religious freedoms of the members of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric, existence of religious prisoners, violation of freedom of movement, police terror and demolition of a monastery, prevention of OSCE from obtaining a copy of the decision upon which the demolition was carried out, police interrogations of the members of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric etc.,^{[27][28][29][30][31]}
• The US Mission to the OSCE warned of Violation of freedom of religion and encouraged the authorities to apply the law fairly, advising the government should avoid involving in religious disputes, reminding that Article Nine of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 19 of the Macedonian Constitution as well as Macedonia’s OSCE commitments, and international norms, all guarantee his right to freedom of religion.^[32]
• The European Commission pointed out that cases of violations of religious freedom exist and emphasized that the new law should provide more liberal procedure for registering religious communities.^[33]
• Amnesty International declared the Archbishop Jovan a Prisoner of conscience.^[34]
• Freedom House reported that Archbishop Jovan has been arrested ... for his ties to the Serbian Orthodox Church.^[35] In Freedom House's publications Macedonia received a downward trend arrow due to ... an increase in the harassment of leaders of various religious groups.^[36]
• The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights constantly reports about the violation of the religious freedoms and human rights of the members of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric: The violation of several basic rights was the result of activities of a number of state institutions (especially the Ministry of the Interior) directed against not only the followers (monks of the MOC who were supporting Vraniskovski), but also against citizens who approve of him or had compassionate sentiments or attitude towards them. This can be illustrated by the following: problems upon entry and exit from the state, threats, police detention, lawsuits against citizens who have provided housing for the outcast monks, police ban in the exercise of the right to residence,^[37][38][39] etc.
• Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe reported about the imprisonment of Archbishop Jovan, finding that Macedonian officials, in response to the ecclesiastical dispute concerning the status of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, have over-reacted and that the 18-month prison term sentence is excessive and unjustified. Regarding the case of the destruction of the chapel, the report states that The government, at least, must exhibit more restraint and end these harassments, and also pay reparations for the destroyed buildings. The report also covers the religious freedom governing legal framework, finding it ambiguous, and further stating that Since religious groups are required to register, the lack of a clear mechanism can be problematic.^[40]
• Forum 18 reports that New Religion Law perpetuates discrimination^[41]
• Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Macedonia requesting immediate release of Archbishop Jovan.^[42][43]
• Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow sent a letter to the President of Macedonia demanding immediate release of the Archbishop Jovan.^[44]
• Holy Synod Of Hierarchs Of The Church of Greece expressed a severe protest for an emergent release of Archbishop Jovan from prison, and for respect of religious freedom in the Republic of Macedonia.^[45]
• The Holy Community of the Mount Athos sent a letter of support to the Archbishop Jovan, signed by all Representatives and Abbots who are in the common Assembly of the twenty Holy Monasteries of the Holy Mount Athos.^[46]
• The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas Condemned the Imprisonment of Archbishop Jovan by Macedonia and asked for his release.^[47]
• Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America called for release of Archbishop Jovan of Ohrid.^[48]

See also

• Bulgarian Archbishopric of Ohrid
• List of Eparchies of the Serbian Orthodox Church

References

External links

• Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric official page
• Forum 18
• Institute for War and Peace Reporting
• FreeArchbishop.com
• Ecumenical Patriarchate
• Patriarchia.ru
• Church of Greece
• The Orthodox Word

Serbian Orthodox Church Serbian Orthodox Church overview topics Overview topics Patriarchs (current) Holy Synod Serbian saints Serbian Orthodox monasteries (list) See also Đurđevdan Vidovdan Subdivisions of the Serbian Orthodox Church Metropolitanates Belgrade and Karlovci Dabar and Bosnia Montenegro and the Littoral Zagreb and Ljubljana Australia and New Zealand Traditional dioceses Bačka Banat Banja Luka Bihać and Petrovac Braničevo Buda Budimlja and Nikšić Dalmatia Upper Karlovac Kruševac Mileševa Niš Osječko polje and Baranja Raška and Prizren Šabac Slavonia Srem Šumadija Timișoara Timok Valjevo Vranje Zahumlje and Herzegovina Žiča Zvornik and Tuzla Diaspora dioceses Austria and Switzerland Britain and Scandinavia Buenos Aires Canada Central Europe Eastern America New Gracanica - Midwestern America Western America Western Europe Ohrid Archbishopric Metropolitanate of Skopje Eparchy of Prespa and Pelagonija Bregalnica Debar and Kičevo Polog and Kumanovo Veles and Povardarie Strumica Defunct Cetinje Belgrade Metropolitanate Hum Trebinje Lim Metropolitanate Onogošt-East Herzegovina Budimlja Užice Marča Spiritual leaders of the Serbian Orthodox Church   Archbishops (1219–1337) St. Sava St. Arsenije I Sremac St. Sava II Danilo I Joanikije I St. Jevstatije I St. Jakov St. Jevstatije II St. Sava III St. Nikodim I St. Danilo II   Patriarchs (since 1346) 1346–1463 St. Joanikije II Sava IV St. Jefrem St. Spiridon Danilo III, Patriarch of Serbia Sava V Danilo IV St. Kirilo St. Nikon Teofan Nikodim II Arsenije II 1557–1766 Makarije Sokolović (St.) Antonije Sokolović Gerasim Sokolović Savatije Sokolović Nikanor Jerotej Filip Sokolović Jovan Kantul Pajsije Janjevac Gavrilo I Rajić (St.) Maksim Skopljanac Arsenije III Čarnojević Kalinik I Skopljanac Atanasije I Mojsije Rajović Arsenije IV Jovanović Šakabenta Joanikije III Karadža-Grk Atanasije II Gavrilović Gavrilo II Sarajevac Gavrilo III Vikentije Stefanović Pajsije II Grk Gavrilo IV Grk Kirilo II Vasilije Jovanović-Brkić Kalinik II Grk since 1920 Dimitrije Varnava Gavrilo Vikentije German Pavle Irinej   Metropolitans and Patriarchs of Karlovci (1690–1920) Arsenije III Čarnojević Isaija Đaković Sofronije Podgoričanin Vikentije Popović Mojsije Petrović Vićentije Jovanović Arsenije IV Jovanović Šakabenta Isaija Antonović Pavle Nenadović Jovan Đorđević Vićentije Jovanović Vidak Mojisije Putnik Stefan Stratimirović Stefan Stanković Josif Rajačić Samuilo Maširević Prokopije Ivačković German Anđelić Georgije Branković Lukijan Bogdanović   Metropolitans of Belgrade (1801–1920) Leontije Lambrović Agatanel Antim Melentije Pavlović Petar Jovanović Mihailo Jovanović Teodosije Mraović Inokentije Pavlović Dimitrije Pavlović   Metropolitans of Zeta/Cetinje/Montenegro (1484–1920) Visarion Vavila Roman German Vasilije Makarije Dionisije Romil Pahomije Đerasim Venijamin Nikanor and Stevan Rufim Njeguš Mardarije Kornečanin Rufim Boljević Vasilije Veljekrajski Visarion Borilović-Bajica Sava Očinić Danilo I Sava Petrović Vasilije Petrović Arsenije Plamenac Petar I Petar II Danilo II Nikanor Ivanović Ilarion Roganović Visarion Ljubiša Mitrofan Ban   Zahumlje and Herzegovina (1508–1854) Jovan Visarion Maksim Marko Nikanor Antonije Savatije Sokolović Visarion Silvestar Leontije Basil of Ostrog Savatije Ljubibratić Antim Ananije Jerimija Josif I Prokopije I Aksentije III Josif II Eparchy Serbian Orthodox monasteries Serbia Banjska* Devič* Gračanica* Peć* Holy Archangels* Visoki Dečani* Zočište* Banja Bukovo Ćelije Crna Reka Đurđevi stupovi Gornjak Gradac Kalenić Kastaljan Koporin Ljubostinja Manasija Mileševa Nimnik Pokajnica Prohor Pčinjski Pustinja Rača Rajinovac Ravanica Rukumija St. Nicholas Sopoćani Studenica Suvodol Tronoša Tuman Vitovnica Zemun Žiča Beočin Bešenovo Divša Grgeteg Jazak Krušedol Kuveždin Mala Remeta Novo Hopovo Privina Glava Petkovica Rakovac Staro Hopovo Šišatovac Velika Remeta Vrdnik-Ravanica Bavanište Bođani Fenek Hajdučica Kovilj Mesić Holy Trinity St. Melanija Sombor Središte Vojlovica Montenegro Bijela Beška Cetinje Dajbabe Dobrilovina Donje Brčele Duljevo Đurđevi Stupovi Gradište Kom Kosijerevo Miholjska Prevlaka Morača Moračnik Ostrog Piva Podmaine Podmalinsko Praskvica Reževići Savina Stanjevići Starčeva Gorica St. Nicholas, Obod Vranjina Bosnia & Herzegovina Bišnja Dobrićevo Dobrun Duži Glogovac Gomionica Hercegovačka Gračanica Klisina Knežina Krupa Liplje Lomnica Lovnica Moštanica Ozren Papraća Petropavlov Rmanj Sase Stuplje Svetog Arhangela Gavrila St. Nicholas Sv. Vasilija Ostroškog Tavna Tvrdoš Uspenja Bogorodičinog Veselinje Vozuća Zavala Žitomislić Croatia Dragović Gomirje Komogovina Krka Krupa Lepavina Sv. Lazarica Orahovica Sv. Nedjelje Sv. Petke Sv. Vasilija Ostroškog Others Hilandar (Mount Athos) New Gračanica Monastery (USA) Notes * indicate monasteries in Kosovo, which is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo. List of Serbian Orthodox monasteries Serbian Orthodox churches Serbia Church of Saint Sava St. Michael's Cathedral St. George, Banovo Brdo Ružica St. Mark's Church St. Basil of Ostrog St. Achillius, Arilje Peter's Church, Ras Cave Church, Lukovo Štava Church Odžaklija Kađenica Lazarica Church Church of St. George, Lukovo Church of Holy Ascension, Krupanj the Assumption, Zrenjanin Our Lady of Ljeviš* Church of the Virgin Hodegetria* Church of St. Elijah, Podujevo* Church of St. Nicholas, Prizren* Mala Gospojina Church* Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Pristina* Montenegro Cathedral of Podgorica Our Lady of Remedy Vlah Church Bosnia and Herzegovina Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Sarajevo Old Orthodox Church in Sarajevo Church of the Holy Transfiguration, Sarajevo Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Banja Luka Church of St. George, Sopotnica Old Church of St. Nicholas, Javorani Croatia Church of the Holy Venerable Mother Parascheva Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Trpinja Church of St. Nicholas, Vukovar Church of Pentecost, Vinkovci Church of St. George, Kneževo Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, Negoslavci Church of Pentecost, Markušica Church of St. George, Bobota Church of St. Stephen, Borovo Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, Srijemske Laze Church of St. Peter and Paul, Bolman Church of St. Stefan Štiljanović, Karanac Church of St. Nicholas, Mirkovci Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Gaboš Church of St. Nicholas, Jagodnjak Church of St. Demetrius, Dalj Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Zagreb Church of St. George, Grubišno Polje Church of St. Nicholas, Karlovac Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, Drežnica Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Štikada Church of St. George, Varaždin Church of the Holy Annunciation, Dubrovnik Orthodox Church in Knin Church of St. Peter and Paul, Tepljuh St. Spyridon Church, Peroj Church of St. Nicholas, Rijeka Church of St. Nicholas, Vrlika Orthodox church of Holy Salvation, Cetina Other countries Sts. Constantine and Helen Serbian Orthodox Church, USA Trinity Chapel Complex, USA Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church (Jackson, California), USA St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), USA St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church (Toronto), Canada Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, Slovenia Serbian Church in Arad, Romania St. Sava Church, Paris, France Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, United Kingdom Serbian Orthodox Church, Halifax, United Kingdom St. Nicholas, West Wycombe, United Kingdom Saint Spyridon Church, Trieste, Italy Annunciation Church, Szentendre, Hungary Transfiguration Church, Szentendre, Hungary Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Stockholm, Sweden Notes * indicate churches in Kosovo, which is the subject of a territorial dispute between Serbia and Kosovo. Serbian saints St. Angelina St. Basil of Ostrog St. Danilo II St. Helen of Anjou St. Jovan Vladimir St. Prince Lazar / St. Princess Milica St. Makarije Sokolović St. Nikodim I St. Nikolaj Velimirović St. Peter of Cetinje St. Sava St. Sava II St. Simeon the Monk St. Simeon the Myrrh-flowing St. Stefan Lazarević St. Stefan Štiljanović St. Stefan Uroš St. Stefan of Dečani St. Stefan the Blind St. Stefan of Piperi Teodor Komogovinski St. Vladislav St. Vukašin