Financial committee of the Holy Synod continuing work in Gracanica Monastery

Serbian Orthodox Church

19/2/2010

Starting today, the financial committee of the Holy Synod is continuing its work in Gracanica Monastery in order to thoroughly verify all aspects of the financial operations of the previous diocesan administration and to prepare a comprehensive report for the next session of the Holy Assembly of Bishops. At the same time, finances, personal accounts and illegally acquired property of the closest associates of Bishop Artemije are under investigation by the Serbian police. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic told Tanjug yesterday that “the public be informed very soon” about the results of the investigation.

Vicar Bishop Teodosije said: “We are faced with a great test, because if we as religious servants do not follow evangelical principles, how can we expect the faithful to follow our words. The Lord says: “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored?” (Mat 5:13). The clergy, monks and nuns in Kosovo and Metohija must set an example, and not be a stumbling block and a cause for distress and therefore our responsibility is even greater because of severe circumstances in which we live here. National and spiritual unity is our greatest task, and this can not be achieved on the basis of some secular ideology nor some individual, but only in community, in Liturgy, in the Church of Christ.”

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