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Serbian Orthodox Monks Clash in Kosovo |
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16.02.10
Two groups of Serbian Orthodox monks clashed at the Gracanica monastery in the Kosovo Serb enclave of Gracanica on Sunday.
The incident began around 2pm on Sunday, when a group of supporters of Archbishop Artemije tried to force their way into the monastery to protect him after he was temporarily removed from his post by the church hierarchy.
The Holy Synod, as the church's top body, decided on Saturday that Archbishop Artemije could no longer be allowed to run the eparchy in Kosovo after it was discovered that he had been allegedly mishandling millions of euros in aid and government funds over the past several years. Bishop Atanasije has been chosen as his successor.
According to KiM radio, after several failed attempts, around twenty monks, led by the monks of the Crna Reka Monastery, physically assaulted those at the monastery who support the decision of the Holy Synod.
After the conflict, the group reportedly withdrew and broke into the monastery though a back entrance.
No one was hurt but NATO led forces in Kosovo, KFOR, helped prevent the conflict from growing. The Kosovo police did not interfere in the dispute, but their officers did try to separate the groups.
The newly elected Serbian Patriarch Irinej expressed his confidence that the church would find the best solution for overcoming the problems in the Diocese of Raska and Prizren, where Atanasije is now the leader.
"Bishop Artemije is a good and honest man, but he has let others do many things that have compromised his position," the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church told Television Cacak.
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