The Serbian Orthodox Metropolitan Metodije has been indicted in Montenegro for allegedly inciting national, racial, and religious hatred. Prosecutors in Podgorica confirmed the charges following a memorial service in late August where Metodije compared the late war criminal Ratko Mladic to a saint. Mladic, who died recently in a UN prison, was described as one of the greats of the Serbian people. This legal action adds to criticism of the Serbian Orthodox Church leadership, particularly after Patriarch Porfirije led a large memorial in Belgrad. Human rights groups accuse the church and state of reviving 1990s nationalist policies.
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Metropolitan Teodosije of Raška and Prizren met with NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Alexus G. Grynkewich and KFOR Commander Major General Roberto Vergori at Gračanica Monastery in Kosovo. The Serbian Orthodox Church leader briefed the military officials on the security challenges facing the local Serbian population and clergy. He emphasized that KFOR’s impartial presence is essential for maintaining peace and protecting religious sites, including Visoki Dečani Monastery. The group discussed the importance of freedom of movement and the rule of law. The meeting highlighted ongoing cooperation between the diocese and international peacekeeping forces to ensure community safety. Source: eparhija-prizren.com
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat in snap parliamentary elections to a student-led anti-corruption movement on Sunday. Preliminary results indicate the Student List will secure approximately 135 to 140 seats in the National Assembly, while Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party wins around 105. The vote follows nearly two years of protests triggered by a deadly canopy collapse at Novi Sad’s railway station. Turnout reached nearly 70%, the highest in decades. Celebrations erupted in Belgrade and Novi Sad as crowds marked the end of Vučić’s long dominance. The new majority consists of political newcomers aiming to root out corruption and reform state institutions.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇷🇸 Serbia·
Serbia has granted citizenship to Vadym Novynskyi, a lobbyist for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. The decision was signed by Prime Minister Djuro Macut and published in the Official Gazette. The government cited national interest as the reason, bypassing standard procedures. This follows a pattern where hundreds of Russians with ties to the Kremlin received accelerated citizenship since the 2022 invasion. Novynskyi faces charges of treason in Ukraine, where his assets were frozen in 2023. He was previously sanctioned by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The move raises questions about Serbia's alignment with Russian interests amid the ongoing conflict.
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The Society for Threatened Peoples warns that the Serbian Orthodox Church's honoring of war criminal Mladic endangers Balkan peace. The organization urges the German Bishops' Conference, the Evangelical Church in Germany, and the World Council of Churches to take a public stance. This criticism highlights tensions regarding historical accountability and interfaith relations in Serbia. The group calls for stronger condemnation from major Christian bodies to prevent further destabilization in the region. The issue remains a point of contention for minority rights advocates in the country.
Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Porfirije Perić led a funeral service in Belgrad for Ratko Mladić, the former Bosnian Serb military leader convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity. More than 300 priests attended the ceremony, which was supported by Serbian government officials and nationalist politician Milorad Dodik. During the service, the Patriarch argued that earthly courts are not infallible and called for Mladić's moral rehabilitation. The event sparked international criticism, leading EU Commissioner Marta Kos to cancel a planned visit to Belgrad. The funeral highlights the close ties between the Serbian Orthodox Church and nationalist political forces in Serbia.
Ratko Mladić, the convicted war criminal known as the 'Butcher of the Balkans,' will lie in state at the Orthodox Church of Saint Apostle Luke in Belgrad, Serbia, according to local media. Mladić died in August at age 84 in a Dutch prison. The Serbian government plans a state and military funeral, sparking international criticism. Metropolitan Metodije previously praised Madić as a 'holy Serbian warrior.' Patriarch Porfirije Perić faces scrutiny for his diplomatic stance and past actions, including honoring figures linked to Mladić, while historically opposing UN resolutions on the Srebrenica genocide. The events have caused outrage in the EU and neighboring countries.
The Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raška and Prizren condemned the placement of Kosovo Liberation Army and Albanian flags on the fence of a historic church in Lipljan, Kosovo. The incident occurred on August 10, leading to the detention of two suspects by local police. The Diocese described the act as a nationalist provocation and intimidation against the remaining Serbian community, rather than simple vandalism. They criticized international assessments of improved security in Kosovo, particularly regarding KFOR's planned withdrawal from nearby monasteries. The Diocese called for a thorough criminal investigation into potential ethnic hatred and urged international bodies to monitor the situation closely.
The Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Patriarchate has criticized a Ljubljana District Court decision in Slovenia. The court sentenced Patriarch Porfirije and a local parish to suspended prison terms and fines. The Assembly claims the proceedings violated due process because the Patriarch was not notified beforehand. They argue the case stems from lawsuits by defrocked priest Željko Lumbarda and ignores canonical rights. Legal experts cited in the statement say the court disregarded religious freedom laws and constitutional agreements. Consequently, the Assembly advised the Patriarch not to appeal the judgments, viewing the legal process as an attack on the Church's authority.
On July 6, 2026, Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Porfirije and Pastor Dr. Mark Burns, spiritual adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, visited the Visoki Dečani Monastery in Kosovo. The group was welcomed by Metropolitan Theodosije and monastery staff. According to the report, the visitors venerated the relics of Saint King Stefan Dečanski and learned about the site's history. The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a key center for Serbian spirituality. The visit highlights the cultural significance of the location within the Kosovo and Metohija region.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Serbia violated the right to peaceful assembly by banning three planned Falun Gong protests in a city in 2016. The court found that Serbian authorities prohibited the gatherings based on assumptions about potential clashes with supporters of visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, rather than concrete security threats. The judgment emphasizes that states must protect demonstrators from hostile counter-protesters instead of suppressing the events. This decision challenges Serbia's reliance on procedural technicalities and highlights concerns about importing authoritarian censorship standards into European legal frameworks.
Serbian court documents reveal that Russian intelligence financed desecrations of synagogues and mosques in France in 2025. Three Serbian nationals pleaded guilty to spraying synagogues with green paint and placing severed pig heads outside mosques in Paris. The court found they received orders and money from Russian structures to incite religious intolerance and destabilize the region. French intelligence reports suggest the Kremlin directly approved the actions to weaken national unity. This marks the first known instance of Russian-sponsored religious desecration in Western Europe, aiming to raise security costs for European nations.
The action council of the Catholic aid organization Renovabis, chaired by Berlin Archbishop Heiner Koch, approved nearly 13.4 million euros for 282 new projects in Central and Eastern Europe. The funds support social, pastoral, and educational initiatives. A significant portion benefits Ukraine, with two major projects starting immediately to address the fifth winter of war. Additional support targets Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Romania to alleviate economic hardship. Renovabis managing director Thomas Schwartz plans to visit Ukraine in December to assess needs. The organization also launched a campaign focusing on mental health issues in the region.
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Two cyclists departed from a town in Germany on a long bicycle journey to a city in Turkey. The extensive trip aims to highlight the climate crisis and global injustice. One rider, a representative for the Catholic Church in a specific diocese, cites his past global cycling experiences as motivation. The route passes through several European countries, including visits to social projects. They plan to arrive in time for the UN climate conference. The pair will return via train and ferry to maintain their low-carbon commitment, rejecting flights despite their availability.
The Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest hosted 121,000 pilgrims for the relics of Saint Dimitrie cel Nou from October 18 to 28. Meanwhile, Metropolitan Sava of the Antiochian Patriarchate advises believers to spend one hour daily without mobile phones to find spiritual peace. In Serbia, relics of Saint Mary Magdalene from the Pantocrator Monastery in Romania will be displayed in Vârșeț from November 6 to 9. Additionally, the Archdiocese of Bucharest held liturgical services marking the 11th anniversary of the Colectiv tragedy, and an exhibition at the Pitești Prison Memorial will share stories of 71 women persecuted by the communist regime.
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Thirty-five young Romanians from Serbia and Moldova are attending a leadership training program in Brebu Nou, Caraș-Severin County, Romania. The initiative, titled 'Strong Voices,' runs from October 23 to 31 and is organized by the Association of Orthodox Youth of Mountain Banat (ATOR BM). It is funded by an Erasmus+ grant and involves partnerships with the Episcopacy of Dacia Felix and the Episcopacy of Southern Bessarabia. The project aims to develop personal skills and community engagement among rural youth. Activities include religious services, hiking, and workshops on responsibility and collaboration, fostering inter-eparchial cooperation that has lasted for three years.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat in snap parliamentary elections to a student-led anti-corruption movement on Sunday. Preliminary results indicate the Student List will secure approximately 135 to 140 seats in the National Assembly, while Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party wins around 105. The vote follows nearly two years of protests triggered by a deadly canopy collapse at Novi Sad’s railway station. Turnout reached nearly 70%, the highest in decades. Celebrations erupted in Belgrade and Novi Sad as crowds marked the end of Vučić’s long dominance. The new majority consists of political newcomers aiming to root out corruption and reform state institutions.
Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia laid the foundation stone for a new building at St. Sava College in Varroville, Sydney, on October 18, 2026. The event included New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and local clergy. The expansion supports the school, which has grown from 29 students in 2021 to roughly 300. During the service, the Patriarch elevated three priests and emphasized Orthodox unity. Premier Minns praised the Serbian community’s contributions to Australia. Metropolitan Siluan highlighted the institution’s focus on academic and spiritual education. The ceremony concluded with student hymns.
Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia consecrated the Church of St. Stephen the Archdeacon in Keysborough, Melbourne, Australia, on October 11, 2026. Accompanied by several hierarchs, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy and emphasized preserving Orthodox faith and Serbian identity abroad. The church, built in 1994, serves the local community. During the service, relics of St. Stefan Dečanski were placed in the altar. Australian officials, including Assistant Minister Julian Hill and Deputy Premier Gabrielle Williams, attended and congratulated the parish. The Patriarch encouraged active parish life and prayer, noting that faith transcends geographical borders. Metropolitan Siluan thanked the Patriarch for the visit, highlighting the enduring bond between the Mother Church and diaspora communities.
The Serbian Orthodox Church and Serbia’s Ministry of Labour signed a cooperation agreement in Belgrade on September 18. Patriarch Porfirije and Minister Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski witnessed the deal at the Patriarchal Palace. The ministry will provide 12 million Serbian dinars, roughly €100,000, to support the Archdiocese of Belgrade and Karlovci’s charitable work. Bishop Petar of Toplica stated the organization feeds over 2,000 people daily and aids the homeless, addicts, and large families. The minister emphasized that caring for vulnerable groups requires collaboration between the state and religious institutions to ensure effective social protection.
Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia presided over the Divine Liturgy in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on September 13, marking the 90th anniversary of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius. More than 1,000 faithful attended the service, which commemorated the first liturgy held at the site nine decades ago. During his homily, the Patriarch emphasized the missionary work of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the commandment of love. He also awarded the right to wear pectoral crosses to two local clergy members. The event was attended by several bishops, diplomatic representatives, and Serbian authorities, highlighting the church's historical significance in the region.
The ACT Alliance has allocated USD 37,698 through its Rapid Response Fund to address severe drought conditions in Serbia. The three-month initiative, running from August to November 2026, is implemented by the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organisation and the Serbian Orthodox Church’s charitable foundation. Aid targets vulnerable communities in Kraljevo, Novi Sad, and Plandište, where extreme heat has compromised safe drinking water access. Approximately 400 households will receive emergency water supplies, and water quality testing will be conducted in villages near Kraljevo. The project aims to support those with limited mobility and engage local authorities on sustainable water solutions. (Source: ACT Alliance)
Serbia faces severe drought and hydrological stress due to high temperatures and low water availability. In Kraljevo, over 60 Roma families lack drinking water, while 11 rural settlements with 3,829 residents are vulnerable. Novi Sad sees 240 vulnerable Roma people affected by heat and low Danube levels, and Plandište has 70 elderly and disabled individuals at risk. ACT Alliance members, including the Serbian Orthodox Church foundation and EHO, are considering a localized response via the Rapid Response Fund. The plan prioritizes distributing safe water and food, plus testing rural water systems for public health risks, according to the outlet.
On July 6, 2026, Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Porfirije and Pastor Dr. Mark Burns, spiritual adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, visited the Visoki Dečani Monastery in Kosovo. The group was welcomed by Metropolitan Theodosije and monastery staff. According to the report, the visitors venerated the relics of Saint King Stefan Dečanski and learned about the site's history. The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a key center for Serbian spirituality. The visit highlights the cultural significance of the location within the Kosovo and Metohija region.
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