Leading figures of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) in Montenegro are trying to position themselves as moral arbiters on issues of World War II, favoring the defeated side and collaborators of the occupiers, and with statements glorifying the leaders of the Chetnik movement, they clearly place themselves among those who do not wish well for Montenegro or the Serbian people in it.
These are the words used by Vijesti's interlocutors to interpret the statement of Archbishop and Metropolitan of Budimlje-Niksic Metodije, who on Saturday (June 7) after serving the liturgy at the Podmalinsko Monastery near Šavnik, said that "since the end of World War II, the Tito-Ustasha coalition has reigned, committing genocide against the Serbian people," and that Chetnik leaders Dragoljub Mihailović and Pavle Đurišić were "the first guerrillas to rise up against the fascists in Europe," but that "the truth about them was later covered up with lies."
Belgrade-based religious analyst Vladimir Veljković told Vijesti that bishops in Montenegro preach Chetniks and domestic traitors more than the Gospel.
"It is obvious that the high clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro are trying to position themselves as moral arbiter of World War II, favoring the defeated side and collaborators of the occupiers... Why they gave up preaching the gospel - it is not entirely clear, and they should be asked," he states.
Theologian Vukašin Milićević told the newspaper that the essence of statements like Metodijeva's is to further deepen existing divisions in Montenegro, and that everything said by the Metropolitan of Budimlje and Nikšić has nothing to do with historical facts.
"... It is completely unacceptable that the Church and its representatives are placed at the service of those who want to, based on this division, provoke complete separation and create hostility among the population," he told Vijesti.
The Diocese of Budimlje-Niksic and the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral did not respond to the newspaper's questions - what "lies" are used to cover up the "truths" about Mihailović and Đurišić, and what is the reason for the successive revisionist messages coming from the leaders of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro.
In early May, Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral called Đurišić "a great hero of invincible character", stating that Đurišić's heroism in the battle of Lijevče Polje "can be compared to the heroism of Pavle Orlović", and that, "attacked by combined enemy forces", he "experienced a temporary defeat".
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The Higher State Prosecutor's Office (VDT) in Bijelo Polje told Vijesti yesterday that they had not opened a case regarding Metodije's statements, but that "after considering the content of the statement, they will assess whether there is a basis for suspicion that a criminal offense has been committed for which prosecution is being undertaken ex officio."
After the liturgy, Methodius served a memorial service for members of the first and second Durmitor Chetnik Brigades and "victims of communist persecution", Mihailović and members of the Yugoslav Army in the Fatherland (JVUO). He said that, among other things, they had gathered for "the great and greatest knights and heroes of World War II", and that the "greatest schizophrenia" of this area was that a monument to the "greatest monster", the leader of the People's Liberation Movement in World War II, Josip Broz Tito, had been erected in Podgorica.
Extremely irresponsible statements
Milićević states that he is "very unpleasantly surprised" by Metodi's behavior in the last few months.
"This is a man I have known for a long time and of whom I have had an extremely positive opinion so far - both about his personal qualities and his attitude towards the service he performs. I am taken aback by his nationalistic outbursts, which I consider extremely irresponsible, especially in the context of Montenegro, the country in which he lives and works... With these outbursts, he has shown that he is clearly siding with a side that not only does not wish well for Montenegro, but also for the Serbs in Montenegro, as well as for the Serbian people in general," he states.
Methodius received the title of archbishop and metropolitan at the end of May. On several occasions, he served memorial services for Chetnik commanders in the Berane village of Gornje Zaostro, attended celebrations with Chetnik symbols, and claimed that "Western ambassadors are doing everything to destroy us"...
Asked how he views the revisionist messages that frequently come from the Serbian Orthodox Church, Milićević replies that "we have been observing such phenomena for forty years," adding that "there are no greater enemies of Serbian national interests than Serbian nationalists."
"They try to present every shame from Serbian history - of which, let's be honest, there were quite a few - as a virtue. True virtues, on the other hand, are either forgotten or portrayed as weaknesses, especially when it comes to recent history. In this way, they give legitimacy to extremists on the other side - precisely those they claim to be fighting against," the interlocutor assesses.
He points out that in the former Yugoslavia, "no one cooperates as well as nationalists among themselves," and that - if there were no "Chetniks" today, there would be no "Ustasha."
"These statements and behaviors directly support those who still advocate a policy of war, conflict and destruction - not only physical, but also moral. When it comes to Metropolitan Joanikije, I respect and appreciate him as a person. But, precisely because I think well of him, I perceive these statements of his even more seriously and worse," says Milićević.
He adds that he therefore believes that these statements are, "to put it mildly," irresponsible.
"They are irresponsible, first of all, towards their own flock. Why doesn't anyone mention the Orthodox priests from Montenegro who died in the National Liberation War? There were several dozen of them. These are people who are undeniable victims, undeniable anti-fascists, who fought for the freedom of their people. In the context of objective, world historiography, these facts are undeniable. But with us, things are turned upside down...", he points out.
A demonstration of arrogance
When asked whether the leading figures of the Serbian Orthodox Church demonstrate power with such statements, Milićević replied that to him it looks more like arrogance.
"Because even power carries with it responsibility. And here the behavior is shown to be extremely irresponsible. I think they allowed it to be abused," he assesses.
He emphasizes that the Serbian Orthodox Church clergy has sufficient knowledge, and that "they know who they can turn to if something is unclear to them regarding World War II, including what has happened in the last 40 years."
"If they were misled - they allowed themselves to be misled. And that, in my opinion, is directly contrary to the interests of their own flock. Despite the personal respect I may feel, I cannot say anything positive about their statements. On the contrary - I believe they are catastrophic and have nothing to do with historical truth," said Milicevic.
Vladimir Veljković says that it is certain that the statements of Methodius and Joannikius demonstrate the power of the Church's representatives, stating that politicians from the ruling majority are silent "aware of the political weight of the Serbian Orthodox Church and its decisive political influence in the not-so-distant past."
The Strategy for a European and Civic Montenegro (STEGA) announced yesterday that it had sent an open letter to the Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković regarding Metodije's "anti-constitutional behavior", while the Matica Crnogorska said that the Serbian Orthodox Church "is carrying out a kind of culturicide against our spiritual and material heritage throughout Montenegro, with the tacit consent of the competent institutions."
Milatović: It is important that historical events are interpreted responsibly
Head of State Jakov Milatović believes that it is important that historical events are interpreted responsibly, in the spirit of the facts and with full respect for the victims.
This was announced to Vijesti from Milatović's Public Relations Office, in response to a question about how the president views Metodi's statements, whether he condemns them and whether he considers them revisionist.
"President Milatović consistently advocates positions based on the universal values of anti-fascism, which represent the foundation of contemporary Montenegro and the broader European democratic heritage. The President remains firmly committed to the vision of Montenegro as a civic, multicultural and secular state, based on the principles of tolerance, mutual respect and democratic values," Milatović's office said.
The same questions were not answered by the offices of Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Parliament Speaker Andrij Mandić.
They are scouting the glorification of Đurišić
The Higher State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica is in the investigation phase of the case of glorification of Chetnik duke Pavle Đurišić.
This was answered by Vijesti from the institution headed by prosecutor Lepa Medenica. The prosecutor's office formed a case at the end of May regarding the statements of Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral and the celebration in the student restaurant "Radovče" in Podgorica with songs celebrating the figure and work of Đurišić.
"A case has been opened at the Higher State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica regarding the allegations in your question, which is currently in the investigation phase," they told the newspaper.
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