Metropolitan Joanikije is condemned political leaders who invoke religious beliefs to justify conflicts or nationalist policies, deeming such practices a form of blasphemy - a grave sin that shows disrespect for or offends God!
It was announced from the Metropolitanate, for example, on April 26, 2025, the second and not the first day, after the red tsar Vladimir Putin received Patriarch Porfiry on Red Square. The boss from the aforementioned metropolitan. Where, as was actually announced and documented by the video, the Serbian Patriarch toasted Putin's "certain victory", because it depends on God's will, and God has always been on the side of the stronger! In the specific, Ukrainian crime, that means on the side of the Russians and Serbs.
On that imaginary April 26th, Joanikije would not even have to mention the red Vladimir and the black Prof in his statement, it would be clear to everyone who he was referring to when he said: "Unfortunately, it is increasingly common for the language of religion to be drawn into political battles, for nationalism to be blessed, and for violence and armed struggle to be justified in the name of religion."
It was actually an epiphany, even though it was April and not January. No one was swimming for the cross, neither in the Sava, nor in the Morača, nor in the imperial pool of the Moscow region, God had clearly appeared to Porfiry. And what could the humble prisoner do, humanly speaking, but say: “We Orthodox have one trump card. What is it? Vladimir Putin! Those words say it all!”
That Joanikije, two days, or three, it doesn't matter, after this tragicomic meeting and address of a religious leader to a dictator, issued a statement and emphasized that ""Believers must actively reject, above all by the witness of their own lives, these forms of blasphemy that desecrate the holy name of God." all devotees of the Serbian Orthodox Church would know that he condemned the abuse of religion in the aggression of the Russian regime against Orthodox Ukraine! And that he distanced himself from the boss Porfiri who celebrates that criminal campaign and announces a “certain victory”! Joanikije in particular would confirm with that gesture that every form of nationalism, including Serbian, or Montenegrin, or Croatian, or Russian, is in fact blasphemy. And only justifying war and aggression with religion, that is, Joanikije could conclude - “a serious sin that shows disrespect or offends God.”
What a historic opportunity it was! That on that April 26th, an Orthodox metropolitan would step out from under the yoke of an autocratic leader and a warmongering narrative. And to defend God and the faith he preaches. Let's put it this way: "We must strongly reject the use of religion to justify war, violence or any form of fundamentalism"If he had been wise and brave, Joanikije could have profited on a global level, and his voice could have been heard far beyond the borders of the Orthodox dungeon. For example, if he had pointed out the “the logic of confrontation that dominates global politics today, deepening instability and unpredictability day by day.” If Parliament Speaker Mandić were to get angry over this clear call-out of President Trump, who cares - Joanikije would receive support and recognition from a large number of believers from both the second and third Christian churches, as well as numerous Muslims, Buddhists or Hindu believers who do not see in Trump what our Andrija does - support and hope for a better and more prosperous world.
But, none of the above. We will sooner see Joanniki (not Colonel Irinej) in some new delegation on Red Square next to Porfiry, celebrating a “certain victory” with the Tsar and God Vladimir, than we will hear from him something similar to the quoted words and positions of Pope Leo. Announced on January 1 of this year, on the World Day of Peace of the Catholic Church. The value difference between the positions of the head of the most numerous Christian religious organization, the Catholic, and the head of the Russian Church (of which, according to Porfiry, the Serbian is just an outpost) best illustrates the civilizational lag of Moscow in relation to Rome. The Kremlin in relation to the Vatican. If, at least metaphorically, the Kremlin is taken not only as the secular, but also as the religious center of Russia and Orthodoxy in which the Tsar and Patriarch Putin reside. About which Porfiry and Irinej have no doubts.
The aforementioned message of Pope Leo is, of course, not the only thing that illustrates the profound difference between the understanding of God and blasphemy in the statements and sermons of the leaders of the Catholic and Russian/Serbian Orthodox Churches. Especially when it comes to values such as freedom, democracy, the right to choose, and vulnerable groups. For example, this same Pope (Leo) recently accepted the resignation of one of the most influential Catholic leaders in North America, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, head of the New York headquarters. One of the reasons is that this archdiocese is facing the obligation to compensate 1.300 victims of clerical violence in the amount of 300 million dollars! And we know how Porfiry's hopes ended, suspected of pedophilia and abuse. From Pachomius to Kacavenda. It is even more interesting that the Pope chose Ronald Hicks, a missionary from Illinois, to head the most important religious branch in North America, presenting him as a "fresh start" for the Church in New York and the USA! Among other things, Hicks has a pronounced concern for the Latin American community and a balanced immigration policy, which drastically differs from his predecessor, who was an admirer of Donald Trump, Putin's counterpart.
At the same time, Putin's Metropolitan Kirill is far from a missionary lifestyle and preaching God. He has a "small" plane, and he sports a "Rolex" on his wrist, while Vučić's "chosen one" PP lives in Dedinje in a villa, the value of which exceeds 5 million euros.
But what does that matter to our Orthodox brothers? When agency news shows how Vladimir Putin traditionally bathed for Epiphany. A video of his bathing was released by the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the chief negotiator with the Trump team, Kirill Dmitriev. The video shows Putin diving into the water three times, and between each dive he crosses himself. Then he immediately gets out of the water and completes the ritual. In addition to Putin, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, also tried his hand at the Epiphany.
Instead of Vučić and Knežević, only ordinary mortals have dived into the cold water here. And some priests. True, by mistake. So it was not known whether the Orthodox youth would then swim to emerge with a cross or a priest. Or like Putin and Lukashenko - nothing. Because instead of showing the world democracy and freedom in their countries, the prosperity and happiness of their inhabitants, two dictators run two of the most beautiful prisons in Europe, from which, out of happiness and prosperity, over two million people have emigrated in the last few years alone, since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine! And another million have died! While the supreme religious leaders of the Russian and Serbian churches celebrate that shameful war and "certain victory". As they did in the early 90s. At least these locals. Praising the kingdom of heaven and God Slobodan. And they can't get out of that narrative. And the system of values. Moreover, by numerous parameters under Vučić it is significantly worse than under Milošević. Regarding primarily the values themselves. Promotion of nationalism, threats of war, support for war, sympathy for autocracy and dictators - this is still the civilizational framework within which the activities of the "shepherds of God" of the Russian and Serbian Churches operate.
That's why you immediately guessed when you concluded after the first sentence - NO, this is some kind of bad joke, it's not possible that Metropolitan Joanikije condemned political leaders who invoke religious beliefs to justify conflicts or nationalist policies! Although such a message would be quite expected and natural from a religious leader. But not from Joanikije, who celebrates the nationalism of the Second World War and for whom even 80 years was not enough to accept that Pavle Đurišić and priest Đujić are worthy of every condemnation! And not for song and celebration. And on Epiphany! And if they are an example to them, what else can be expected from the leaders of the Serbian Orthodox Church regarding the (mis)deeds of Milošević, Karadžić, Mladić. Not to mention Putin and Lukashenko. Only they will never come to the table. Like Trump at Leo's. Amen.
Bonus video:
