SKOPJE, July 7 (Hina) - The synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MPC) held its urgent session last Friday and unanimously decided to relieve Metropolitan Jovan (Mitropol Jovan) of the duty of the archpriest of the region of Veles
or the so-called Povardarksa Eparchy.
SKOPJE, July 7 (Hina) - The synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church
(MPC) held its urgent session last Friday and unanimously decided
to relieve Metropolitan Jovan (Mitropol Jovan) of the duty of the
archpriest of the region of Veles or the so-called Povardarksa
Eparchy. #L#
The synod of the Macedonian Church, which is like other Eastern
Orthodox Churches autocephalous i.e. self-governing and
independent religious community, decided to dismiss Metropolitan
Jovan from the said post after he had announced ten days ago that he
would left the Macedonian Church and add the eparchy at whose helm
he had been to the Serb Orthodox Church.
The synod also decided that it would take over the management of the
eparchy and ordered Metropolitan John to transfer in the Monastery
of Martyr Gorgi near the town of Negotin.
The synod said the metropolitan would be dismissed from the
priesthood if he failed to accept the decision and transfer.
After Friday's session, a commission of the synod was sent in the
town of Veles to carry out the take-over of the duty.
However, the door of the eparchy's building remained closed
although the commission waited several hours for being allowed to
enter the building.
Later, in the presence of the police forces, the door was forcibly
opened, and Metropolitan Jovan had to leave the town. Believers,
gathered around the building, booed the priest leaving the
offices.
According to a local private television "SITEL", Metropolitan
Jovan fled to Greece instead of going to the monastery in Negotin.
According to the same television, the Greek and Serb Churches are
believed to have organised this split in the Macedonian Church.
The moves of Metropolitan Jovan embittered not only the faithful in
the Veles region and Macedonia but also the entire public in this
country.
The clergy of the Macedonian Orthodox Church adopted a Resolution
in March 1945 on the restoration of the Ohrid Archiepiscopate as an
independent Macedonian Orthodox Church that would not be
subordinated to any other national Orthodox church. In July 1967
the Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church passed a decision
on adopting the Declaration on Proclamation of Autocephality of the
Macedonian Orthodox Church. Its independence is often contested by
Greek and Serbian Orthodox Churches.
(hina) ms