Byzantine Blog

Uh...sounds like Fr Sava has been "kissing up" to serbophobes.

There may be a relation between the above instruction and the fact that the website of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, aka Kosovo.net, where Father Janjic has an important position, is since last month 'unavailable' most of the time. About the nature of such relation I can only guess -- Janjic severed his contacts with UN/Kosovo authorities, or Janjic is boycotted by colleagues because of his disputed ways, or the site is 'hacked', either by the UN and/or Pristina or by others...

This was a sideline - I have no comment on Bishop Artemije's order, of course.

I envy those who (probably) learn after apx 25 years from now what it was all about -- Nato's attack, Bondsteel, Germany's role, the recognition of 'Kosova' with all its legal and financial consequences, etc. Perhaps it's just 'international anarchy' as a result of the Tito vacuum.

Svetlana,

Don't be so quick to be the judge and jury. Your post only makes insinuations that Fr. Sava has transgressed Vladika Artemije's order and does not And they BOTH have been branded by various people (so-called Serbs) for some time now (most of which is wild and accusatory speculation).

They are both good men and members of the Serbian Orthodox Church. They were willing to put their necks on the line when the rest of us could only talk tough from our cozy high chairs.

Their position is not easy. May the Lord have mercy on them and give them fortitude and wisdom in these dark and trying times!

But your accusations do not help.
V.

Whatever you think about Hieromonk Sava, it is absolutely unacceptable to present it in this way. I disagree with the actions of many priests and monks, but it is not for us to criticise them, especially not like you have, with an extremely disrespectful tone. If you must critise his views, and I do disagree with them myself, you can do it calmly, soberly, and without attacking the man himself.

Vlad and Englez:

I've been biting my tongue for years now, hoping and praying few "men of cloth" in Serbian Orthodox Church will make a salvific turn from betraying Christ in their people.

I still would not have said a word, precisely because I know it is not up to me to be the judge (but being an integral part of the Serbian Orthodox Church, I am "the jury", like it or not), but the latest open demonstration of disobedience and raw parade of "in-your-face power" in the shape of Amfilohije-Synod going to Pec Patriarchate and then to "visit Decani" (as if that is the seat of Raska-Prizren Diocese, and as if Holy Bishop Artemije doesn't exist), culminating in Amfilohije-Synod issuing a Papal Decree that contradicts and aims to invalidate Bishop Artemije's order - and ALL OF IT ONLY BECAUSE HIEROMONK SAVA WANTS TO CONTINUE HIS PERILOUS POLITICKING BEHIND THE CLOSED DOORS - was the last straw.

I have said the absolute LEAST, the barest minimum of what could rightfully be said and, regardless of what you think of me, I will not back down, nor be shamed into staying silent while the Serbian people takes the blows. The line has been drawn - no more!

During presidential elections, people attacked me for speaking openly against Tadic and his Yellow Camp. Now, when I (finally!) say that some snakes are hiding underneath the ryza in Serbian Church, the pious attack me for daring to say it, telling me I shouldn't allow myself a freedom to say the truth about anyone from the clergy.

But I tell you: many more will be offended.

Not because I enjoy it - I would be the happiest to stop writing, archive this place and move on to easy, pleasant, beautiful things in life - but because the flames have engulfed the fingernails of the Serbs in Kosovo-Metohia and everywhere. There is not a single speck of dust where a traitor-whoever he or she is-can stand today, nor a single rock under which one can hide now. The world is black and white through and through: one is either on the side of the truth, justice and, ultimately, God, or on the other side, of lies, injustice and evil.

It is time for each of us to choose the sides, from all walks of life and all places. Those who choose poorly will be thrashed without mercy.

If that offends one's sense of properness and good manners, then that's just too bad.

P.S. I fully support the heroic, holy Bishop Artemije who is a true Hierarch and a truest true shepherd to his people, who hasn't spared one bit of his strength, resources and energy in doing everything a Holy Priest would do for his people. If nothing else, his example makes it easy to recognize the enemy within, and that is everyone who is and has been trying to take Bishop Artemije down and replace him, in a coup, like a godless revolutionary within the Church. Sava Janjic is at the helm of that wretched band of brigands.

Vlad and Englez, if you can read Serbian, read the linked Confirmation of Bishop Artemije's Order in Serbian -- read and weep! Everything has been laid out, to one's eternal shame, in plain language and plain sight. These are no "wild accusations", these are devastating facts. No one should take part in trying to hide them, for the sake of shallow puritanism and good manners.

It is our responsibility and duty to criticize and bring to light all of the transgressions of anyone, be it holy men, politicians, etc. Furthermore, we are not Catholics; we do not believe that human beings are infallible as they believe their Pope is. There have been many representatives of our Church (I'll speak mainly for the ones here in the US) that have driven a wedge between the people in the worst of times, including this very day. Bishop Artemije is a true saint, one who has never given up his true belief in God and the Serbian Orthodox Church. He reminds me of the medieval Serbian bishops who went to the front lines in the battle against the Ottomans.

Bog Cuva Vladiku Artemije!

Dear Svetlana...Let me commend you for your forthrightness and lack of guile. Sadly there are always those in polite society that simply must have everything "sugar coated".

Dear Svetlana,

My apologies, I knew not. I was totally unaware of this treachery. If you have any other scoop about Fr. Sava and Vladika Amfilohije, can you please send me some links to my email address... I need to know what is happening. I would be eternally grateful. This is very serious indeed.

V.

Fr. Janic is a Yugoslav and is making decisions as a Yugoslav.

His Grace Bishop Artemije is a respected and holy Serb.
The Serbian diaspora believes that truth, justice and God are on His side.
Bishop Artemije is our VODJA - Leader not only in Kosovo and Metohija but wherever the Serbian faithful live.
Any disrespect shown to His Grace Bishop Artemije and his position is a grave insult and will shake the foundations of the SOC.

Fr.Sava needs to step back or OUT. I noticed that over the years he acts as a translater at times and during the bombing he "SOMEHOW" was able to communicate with the outside world by internet. I always wondered how he managed it. "Fox in the hen house" syndrome????

Julia Gorin had some runs last year with some "blogging" American KFOR soldiers who visited Decani and told how well they were welcomed by a monk. They also said that they saw no problems for the Serbs or the Church with local albanians. [ Oh brother]

Also, they said an American KFOR chaplain was welcomed and he saw no problems for the Serbs either.[yikes!]

ALL THEY WROTE WAS VERY VERY MUCH CIA/US STATE DEPARTMENT "PARTY LINE"!!

Wonder if "their" monk was FR. Sava.

Well, it is a known fact that Sava was an element to disrupt both Serb national body and the unity of the Serb Orthodox Church ahead all these happenings around Kosovo. The Americans found the man to to the job for them. Unfortunately, this man still keeps pushing his views and political ideas through different church and political exponents in Serbia. It's high time this man be exposed and stopped! May God give strength to Vladyka Artemije in crushing the heads of serpents disguised as his spiritual children