SPC appoints administrator of eparchy

The SPC Holy Assembly of Bishops decided Thursday to appoint Bishop of Lipljan Teodosije as the new administrator of the Raska-Prizren Eparchy. Bearing in mind that the assembly is still underway, this was the first public announcement and the press did not have an opportunity to find out what will happen to retired Bishop Artemije who threatened to establish his own church. SPC appoints administrator of eparchy Two years ago Bishop Artemije dismissed Bishop of Lipljane Teodosije for, as he said, lack of discipline. Bishop Teodosije graduated from the Faculty of Theology in Belgrade and then became a novice monk in the Crna Reka Monastery near Novi Pazar which then Prior Artemije run at the time. He became a monk there and was given his monastic name – Teodosije. Bishop Artemije, who retired because of suspicion that he was involved in financial embezzlement in the Raska-Prizren Eparchy, did not attend the beginning of the assembly yesterday. However, his followers led by former monk Antonije Davidovic gathered in front of the Patriarchate despite the ban. Davidovic was detained by the police and later released after he paid a RSD 10,000 fine. Church expert Jovan Janjic told B92 that gathering of Artemije’s followers represented a reflection of situation within the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) since he had retired. “Monk Antonije was probably one of the organizers of the rally and that’s probably why he was detained by the police. Whether it was police’s own initiative or in agreement with the Synod representatives, it’s not known. Bishop Artemije still hasn’t been invited to the assembly, he’ll probably be invited to come since situation, which arose after his fall from the Raska-Prizren Eparchy, will be discussed,” he explained. Davidovic was already arrested once recently for showing up at a rally against arrests of gay parade opponents which was also prohibited. He was released without having to face a magistrate. Bishop Teodosije (kosovo.net)

SPC appoints administrator of eparchy

Two years ago Bishop Artemije dismissed Bishop of Lipljane Teodosije for, as he said, lack of discipline.

Bishop Teodosije graduated from the Faculty of Theology in Belgrade and then became a novice monk in the Crna Reka Monastery near Novi Pazar which then Prior Artemije run at the time.

He became a monk there and was given his monastic name – Teodosije.

Bishop Artemije, who retired because of suspicion that he was involved in financial embezzlement in the Raška-Prizren Eparchy, did not attend the beginning of the assembly yesterday.

However, his followers led by former monk Antonije Davidović gathered in front of the Patriarchate despite the ban.

Davidović was detained by the police and later released after he paid a RSD 10,000 fine.

Church expert Jovan Janjić told B92 that gathering of Artemije’s followers represented a reflection of situation within the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) since he had retired.

“Monk Antonije was probably one of the organizers of the rally and that’s probably why he was detained by the police. Whether it was police’s own initiative or in agreement with the Synod representatives, it’s not known. Bishop Artemije still hasn’t been invited to the assembly, he’ll probably be invited to come since situation, which arose after his fall from the Raška-Prizren Eparchy, will be discussed,” he explained.

Davidović was already arrested once recently for showing up at a rally against arrests of gay parade opponents which was also prohibited. He was released without having to face a magistrate.