The Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Porfirije conveyed a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that the church’s stance on “Kosovo and Metohija, Republika Srpska, and Montenegro” is influenced by Russia’s position. The underlying message suggests that the Serbian church-political elite’s perspective towards Montenegro remains unchanged, viewing it as a Serbian territory.

This perspective was shared with “Vijesti” by a Belgrade religious analyst. Vladimir Veljkovic provided insights on the Patriarch’s comments made during a recent meeting with Putin in Moscow.

Accompanying the meeting was the Patriarch of Russia Kiril and Metropolitan of Bačka Irenaeus from the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Porfirije expressed gratitude to Putin for his support regarding Kosovo and Republika Srpska, remarking that “our people and our Church are present there as well.”

“I believe and feel that our position concerning Kosovo, Republika Srpska, and Montenegro is also contingent upon the stance of the Russian state and the Russian Federation at a global level. My desire, in alignment with the majority of our Church, is that in future geopolitical shifts, we remain close to the Russian sphere,” he relayed, as per reports from Belgrade media.

Veljković interpreted Porfirije’s remarks as an indication of gratitude towards Moscow for its backing of the Serbian position in Kosovo, as well as in Republika Srpska and Montenegro.

“This suggests that Russia regards Serbia as its outpost in the Balkans, benefiting from regions in conflict,” he asserts.

In response to inquiries about Porfirije’s remarks, the ruling Europe Now Movement (PES), led by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, refrained from commenting to “Vijesti” yesterday. Political figures close to the SPC, such as Andrije Mandić from New Serbian Democracy, Milan Knežević from the Democratic People’s Party, and Vladimir Joković from the Socialist People’s Party, also did not comment.

Similarly, the opposition Democratic Party of Socialists, Civic Movement URA, and the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral of the SPC did not respond to the inquiry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Porfirije’s statements, emphasizing that only citizens can influence Montenegro’s decisions. The ministry reiterated that Montenegro is an independent, sovereign, and secular state, being a member of NATO and aspiring for swift EU membership.

“Decisions cannot be swayed by external statements or political, religious, or other agendas but solely by the citizens of Montenegro, who clearly advocate for their nation’s development and prosperity,” the statement concluded.

The MFA asserted that state matters fall under Montenegro’s institutional authority, deeming statements from religious leaders that interfere with domestic or foreign policy irrelevant and inappropriate. They reaffirmed Montenegro’s commitment to EU accession, maintaining its secular nature while promoting regional stability and peace.

“We expect all parties, including religious leaders, to respect this commitment,” the MFA stated.

During a session of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament (EP) in Brussels, Deputy Prime Minister and top PES official Filip Ivanovic clarified that it was Porfirije, not the Metropolitan of Montenegro Joanikije, who met with Putin.

“The SPC is organized into various episcopacies and dioceses, each operating independently. When you say that the head of Montenegro’s largest religious community met with Putin, that’s inaccurate. The Patriarch of the SPC had that encounter. The Archbishop of the SPC in Montenegro is Archbishop Joanikije, who was not present, and I encourage everyone to look into this further,” Ivanovic explained.

Sokol later posted on the “Iks” website: “Does this imply that Joanikije is transferring to the Montenegrin Orthodox Church?”

Opposition representatives from the European Alliance expressed their disapproval of Porfirije’s remarks. The president of the Social Democratic Party and a leader in the European Alliance, Ivan Vujović, stated that “the SPC is willingly aligning with Putin, while our ‘European government’ has already acquiesced to the SPC.”

Vujović asked, “Where is this leading us (President of the Assembly Andrija Mandić)?” in reference to Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and the government.

The Liberal Party’s president and European Union leader, Vatroslav Belan, urged the government and the MFA to respond:

“While you were allocating 20 million square meters on Velika Plaza, the head of the SPC, alongside Putin, was dividing Montenegro into the ‘Russian world.’

Belan insisted that the government must clarify to the Patriarch of the SPC that he does not dictate Montenegro’s geopolitical stance and that the nation has established foreign policy objectives contrary to his ambitions. “It would be appropriate to address this, and you are free to act as you see fit,” he stated on “Iks.”

The Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) engaged in a political campaign in October 2023, aligning with the census in Montenegro. This campaign peaked during his two-day visit to Podgorica, where he encouraged citizens to assert “their identity as believers of the Serbian Orthodox Church, speakers of the Serbian language, and as dignified members of the Serbian people” whenever possible.

“This is the right, responsibility, and duty of each one of us,” he proclaimed at the time.

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