After years of persecution, harassment, arrests and imprisonments, His Beatitude the Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje kyr Dr. John, pan-Orthodoxly renowned and recognized canonical Prelate of the ancient Ohrid Archbishopric, was sentenced on May 11th, to two and a half years in prison under false charges of alleged fraud and embezzlement, the result of a politically motivated and staged pseudotrial of a Stalinist-type, organized upon the blatant request of the schismatic organization calling itself “The Macedonian Orthodox Church”. He was sentenced solely because of His unwavering commitment to the unity of the Church of God; because of his communion with the Serbian Patriarchate and thereby with universal Orthodoxy worldwide; and because of his persistent and confessional fight against the schismatic mentality and anti-Ecclesiastical ethnophiletism. This is a unique case in contemporary Europe – if not in the whole civilized world – of the authorities, by order, to commit an act of cruel violence and an atrocity upon the Orthodox Church and Her lawful senior representatives, most violently breaking both their own laws and international norms and conventions.

The Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, under whose canonical jurisdiction the autonomous Ohrid Archbishopric is, from its regular assembly in May, protests and condemns this incomparable violence and persecution conducted under the guise of legal order. The Assembly is always with the brothers and sisters from the Ohrid Archbishopric, in prayer and evangelic love, and especially with their Shepherd, who patiently endures suffering for the unity of Christ’s holy Orthodox Church. He is suffering for justice and the authorities are keeping him under a strict-regime prison, despite his serious health condition. At the same time the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church calls:

• for all sister Orthodox Churches throughout the ecumene;
• for all other Christian Churches in the world;
• for the World Council of Churches, the Conference of European Churches and other Christian organizations;
• for the government of the Republic of Macedonia;
• for the for governments and relevant public authorities of legally regulated states, primarily democratic;
• for the international institutions; and
• for the institutions and organizations of human rights and religious freedom;

to provide spiritual, moral, legal and any other possible support to the prisoner of conscience, the Archbishop John, and to contribute to his release from prison as soon as possible.

Belgrade, May 12th, 2012

The Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church

Source: http://spc.rs

Upon the persistent demand by the schismatic organization MOC (Macedonian Orthodox Church), the judge Tanja Mileva from the Court of First Instance in Veles today pronounced the verdict which states: two and a half years of imprisonment for His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje Jovan!

The judge Tanja Mileva was born on 02.02.1980 and was elected a judge on 01.09.2009. Only one and a half month after that election, i.e. already on 15.10.2009, after the dismissal of the judge Valentin Zafirov who on two terms released Archbishop Jovan, as a judge in the process against Archbishop Jovan was set Tanja Mileva, who also then, in an exceptionally short term, and in his absence sentenced Archbishop Jovan to two and a half years of imprisonment. The same verdict was again confirmed by the judge Tanja Mileva today.

An impression is made that such court processes are a perfect illustration for the many times repeated conclusion by the international community, that Macedonian courts are corrupted and that they make decisions under a strong influence of the political authorities. Consequently, due to such political verdicts, all citizens of R. Macedonia are becoming hostages and are paying the price for the distancing from the civilized democratic currents.

However, this trial would not have happened at all, had there not been a persistent demand by the schismatic MOC: a court process to be carried out in which Archbishop Jovan would, at any cost, be sentenced. Therefore, through this court process all the lies of the schismatic organization MOC are brought into the daylight. Namely, since for them it was necessary to negotiate with the Serbian Orthodox Church, the schismatics were declaratively making statements that they wanted to negotiate their return to Orthodoxy, but actually they had never listened to the Serbian Patriarch about the basic precondition for the negotiations, and the precondition was solely that all politically motivated rigged court persecutions against Archbishop Jovan and the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric are stopped. They were cordially received in Belgrade, and they abused the good will of their hosts with small-town slandering against Archbishop Jovan, which obviously only they believe in, without having, at the same time, an elementary ecclesiastical awareness that Archbishop Jovan is the true address for the solution of their problem.

Now, with the verdict against Archbishop Jovan, the catholic Orthodoxy is recognizing the state-sponsored schismatic organization MOC only as a confirmed and fierce persecutor of the canonical Church in R. Macedonia. Today anyone can see the difference between, on one side, the schismatic organization MOC as a cruel persecutor of Christ and the Church, and on the other side, the persecuted for the orthodox faith – Archbishop Jovan and the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric, whose prelate he is.

From today, each of the clergymen of the schismatic organization MOC could consider returning to the canonical Orthodoxy, only as an act of personal metanoia.

Source: http://poa-info.org

Very Reverend Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes, President

Beloved in our Risen Lord,

Christos Anesti!

May the joy of the Holy Resurrection of our Lord be with you!

Archbishop Jovan the Archbishop of Ohrid & the Metropolitan of Skpoje was sentenced to two and half years to prison today 5/11/2012.

Secondly during the hearing of Archbishop Jovan several individuals clergy and monastics under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop tried to attend the public trial today. In particular Bishop David (Vicar Bishop to Archbishop Jovan) and Hieromonk (Prietsmonk) Irenje where pushed by the police in front of the court doors, and Bishop David was almost pushed to the floor but not injured thanks to God. See the attached photo of Bishop David being pushed away and almost fell to the floor. Both Bishop David and Father Irenje where refused to enter the public hearing.

One can only but thank God that both Bishop David and Father Irenje where not seriously injured.

The next approach would be that we must continue to send appeals and offer our support for Archbishop Jovan release.

Let us together offer prayers and piously pray for the mercy of our Lord to watch over the Archbishop and his beloved Archdiocese. I am sure it was a great disappointment for the Archbishop today, but knowing the Archbishop he will pursue his imprisonment with prayer and living up to the Orthodox faith he loves.

Pray with me and please share the above information with others.

May our Lord God grant continued blessings upon Archbishop Jovan and preserve him.

Peace to your soul!

Humbly with the joy of the Holy Resurrection of our Lord,

+Very Reverend Archimandrite Nektarios Serfess
Presidend of The Archbishop Jovan Fund USA

Source: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2012/05/archbishop-jovan-sentenced-to-two-and.html

Urgent press release from the Archbishop Jovan Fund USA
+The Very Reverend Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes, President

Beloved in our Risen Lord,

Christos Anesti!

During these holy Paschal days I look deep into my heart and ask where is the love and the honorable respect that is due to His Eminence, Metropolitan & Archbishop Jovan of Skopje? These days have brought the Archbishop to great hardship and struggles why he remains in jail as a criminal in which he is innocent as well as his diocese has the right to exist as a diocese.

The cruel matter is currently getting out of line when it comes to the actual defense of the Archbishop as now as I earlier worried and had been greatly concerned is the health of the Archbishop! Well we have come to the point in time where is health is beginning to greatly have a toll on him. Not only his health, but now we are hearing in which I believe is happening that no information can or will be given about the current health conditions of the Archbishop! Every humanitarian rule in the books of freedom of any individual has been truly violated at this point in time.

Not only is the health of the Archbishop a great concern for us all Orthodox Christians throughout the world it should be a grave concern for the fact no human being should be treated as the Archbishop is being treated at this hour.

The proceedings of the court as well are not being understandable or open to any given circumstance even when it comes to the health of the Archbishop? The determination of the court seems to make sure the Archbishop remains in jail through the influences of the current Macedonian Orthodox Church! Why I indicate this matter is because earlier when at a forced court hearing session was in order ten Macedonian Orthodox clergy where present on April 9th which was Holy Monday! Thanks to God up until this time the Archbishop has survived, but with his current health problems we should continue every possible effect to appeal for his release now today!

No person should as well have a trial without his own presence or his lawyer in which because of the current health problems of the Archbishop in which the court wants to appoint its own lawyer! This in itself is not proper procedure for anyone!

Finally no food or any medicines are allowed to bring from the outside of the prison directly to the Archbishop! What kind of an inhumane act is this for one to be deprived of even of ones needed medicines especially knowing the Archbishop is a diabetic?

The hours of constant struggles for the Archbishop go onward almost daily, while we sit in a free world wondering whether or not the stock market will climb or decline.

If the EU or the USA government would and could put pressure on the matter these voices would have a great effect for the release of Archbishop Jovan, however this is truly going unnoticed? Why?

God bless the Canonical Orthodox Assembly of Bishops of North & South America for their recent appeal for the release of the Archbishop, and God bless His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios for his recent appeal to the Secretary of State H. Clinton. Now we are awaiting for concrete results from these earnest appeals!

We are convinced that the goal of the FYROM government is to make certain that Archbishop Jovan dies in prison. They are deliberately withholding medical treatment for the Archbishop who is now seriously ill! Archbishop Jovan is presently very ill and his condition is getting worse by the day! There are disturbing reports that he is being subjective to physical and mental abuse by both FYROM government agents as well as by representatives of the Macedonian Orthodox Church (a group unrecognized by the world Orthodox community).

We demand that medical doctors sent representing American government and the governments of the European community be allowed to visit and exam Archbishop Jovan before it is too late.

We also demand that the proper lawyer representing the Archbishop currently be able to defend him at this hour!

We as well demand the release of the Archbishop at this hour!

Finally, we demand that the diocese of the Archbishop be recognized as a diocese and that persecution and reconstruction of church’s and monasteries be rebuilt.

Will the governments of the West, including the USA and European community of nations, step forward and help save the life of this incredible human being and dynamic Orthodox prelate?

These are also for us all at this time to offer our humble prayers for Archbishop J o v a n !

May the joy and the love of our Risen Lord always be with you!

Peace to your soul!

Humbly in our Risen Lord,

+Very Reverend Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes
President of The Archbishop Jovan Fund USA
Boise, Idaho

After two acquittal verdicts by the Court of First Instance in Veles (April 2006 and April 2007), and after the refusal of the extradition and the acquittal verdict by the Court of Appeals in Sofia, Bulgaria (January 2011), upon the persistent demands by the Synod of the schismatic Macedonian Orthodox Church (MOC), for the same case for which, as indicated, he was acquitted, on 12th December 2011 His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje Jovan was arrested again, and imprisoned in the central prison “Idrizovo”.

The rigged court processes and the state persecution on religious grounds against Archbishop Jovan, the courts in Macedonia and the schismatic MOC initiated ten years ago, only because of the different religious beliefs of Archbishop Jovan, due to what he was declared a “Prisoner of conscience” by Amnesty International already in 2005.

During the latest imprisonment, after more than two months spent in the “Idrizovo” prison, on 17th February 2012 Archbishop Jovan was transferred to the remaind prison “Sutka”, where he was ruled detention in duration of one month.

When it was expected that the application for release from detention would be accepted, since according to the law, for the deed for which he is accused of, detention is not foreseen, so Archbishop Jovan would have the possibility to defend himself from freedom, upon the insisting of the schismatic MOC, who initiated the mentioned court process, in the last moment, on 17th March 2012, with a fax sent to the “Sutka” prison, the detention rule for Archbishop Jovan has been prolonged for one month, i.e. until after Pascha, until 17th April 2012.

Through the legal advisers who, in accordance with their official duty had the right to visit him only once, we learned that Archbishop Jovan had his shoelaces removed, was allowed to speak with them only through a glass-barrier, was not allowed to be visited by his close people, has no timely medical care for his health state and medical treatment, large portion of the food which was sent to him for the Lent has been returned, there is no possibility to bring the Holy Communion to him…

Despite all that, Archbishop Jovan feels joyful and sends his Archpastoral blessing to the believers of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric.

The international community years-long through its reports (and on the latest occasion, that was made on 15th March 2012 by the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Mr. Štefan Füle) points out to the all Macedonian governments the essential deficiency that distances the Macedonian society from the civilized democracies. Undoubtedly, that is the absence of the governing of the right and the corruption of the courts.

It is exactly that proverbial, corrupted judiciary, which in politically rigged processes in the last ten years for the sixth time puts Archbishop Jovan behind bars and persistently denies the registration of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric. The latest prolongation of the detention for Archbishop Jovan is only one in the series of confirmations that the authorities of R. Macedonia not only are not respecting the religious freedoms of all citizens equally, but instead of finding solutions for the severe violation of the religious freedoms, they additionally produce problems and cause instability.

Source: http://poa-info.org

On February 21, Archbishop Demetrios, Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, sent a letter to the US Secretary of State, Ms. Hillary Clinton, requesting the immediate release of Jovan, the Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje, who has been imprisoned under false accusations by the schismatic organization in F.Y.R. Macedonia.

On December 12, 2011, while attempting to enter the F.Y.R. Macedonia, Archbishop Jovan was arrested on the border in Medzitlija and taken to the “Idrizovo” prison near Skopje. He was sentenced on false charges in 2010 to a prison term, but since the court process was performed in his absence, he has a legal right to request a repeat of the procedure and to be granted a new court hearing in which he can defend himself. He was also arrested on November 16, 2010, at the Bulgarian border, at the request of the Macedonian bureau of Interpol, with regard to this same court sentence, but the court in Bulgaria released him, holding that the court verdict of F.Y.R. Macedonia was not on account of any guilt in accordance with criminal law, but rather on account of persecution for religious reasons, a persecution which the Archbishop has undergone for nine years.

Archbishop Demetrios of America, addressing the Secretary of State “in the name of the 65 Hierarchs who are part of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America,” mentioned the unfortunate situation of the Archbishop of Ohrid and added that “his arrest has a history of several years, from the time the schismatic church of FYROM (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) started persecuting Jovan, the canonical Archbishop of Ohrid.” Moreover, he pointed out that “the church of the FYROM is not recognized by any of the canonical Orthodox Churches throughout the world.”

As Jovan was unjustly imprisoned while attempting to fulfill his religious obligations, Archbishop Demetrios has asked the United States government, in accordance with its long history of protecting religious freedom, to intercede for him and thereby secure his release.

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/assembly-news/requesting-jovan-release

His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje Jovan, on January 16th, in the afternoon hours, was transferred from the prison reception section to the closed section of the “Idrizovo” prison.

Although the procedure of deciding whether he should be allowed a retrial and be released free pending trial is still not finished, the prison authorities decided to put Archbishop Jovan in the section where the sanctions with strictest treatment are executed.

The sentence that Archbishop Jovan received in the court process in which he was sentenced in his absence is two years and 6 months imprisonment, which is not at all a sentence deserving the strictest closed treatment, since other prisoners, sentenced to much longer prison terms, are receiving the open, or the semi-open treatment.

According to the information reaching the public, that decision is the result of the demands of the schismatic “Macedonian Orthodox Church” (MOC) which insisted Archbishop Jovan be confined under most strict prison conditions, and make all communications outside the prison more difficult for him.

From the Office of the Archbishopric of Ohrid and Metropolitanate of Skopje.

Source: http://poa-info.org

December 27, 2011, New York

Archbishop JovanUpon receiving the information that Archbishop Jovan of Ochrid was arrested on December 12, 2011, while entering the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) from the border with Greece, the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America reaffirm the position taken by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) in August 2005, and furthermore restate that the persecution and new imprisonment of Archbishop Jovan by FYROM are an outrage, and ask for his immediate release.

This arrest has a history of several years and began when the schismatic church of FYROM started persecuting the canonical Archbishopric of Ochrid, an autonomous part of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

This imprisonment, as did the previous ones, violates religious freedom in a supposedly free state. That a recognized, canonical Orthodox Christian hierarch can be imprisoned once again under false allegations, and while trying to fulfill his religious responsibilities, is simply absurd.

We join again the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church in demanding the release of Archbishop Jovan. We ask the government of FYROM to correct this injustice and to free Archbishop Jovan without delay. Furthermore, we call upon our governments to intercede and implement appropriate measures to hasten this process.

Source: http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/releases/archbishop-jovan-release

Today, on 12th December 2011, in attempt to enter R. Macedonia, on the border-crossing Medzitlija, on the border with Greece, the Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje kyr kyr Jovan was arrested and taken to the “Idrizovo” prison, near Skopje. Upon the false accusations by the schismatic organization in R. Macedonia, in 2010 Archbishop Jovan was sentenced a prison term, but because the court process was performed in his absence, he has the legal right to request a repeat of the procedure. Therefore, it is expected that in three to five days he should be released from prison, and granted a new court procedure during which he would defend himself from freedom. Only as a reminder, on 16th November 2010 Archbishop Jovan was arrested on the Bulgarian border, upon a request by the Macedonian bureau of Interpol, in regard to exactly this court sentence, but the Court in Bulgaria released him with a rationale that the court verdict in R. Macedonia was a result of the persecution on religious grounds, which the Archbishop undergoes for nine years already, and not because he was indeed guilty according to the criminal law.

Source: http://poa-info.org

On an open proceeding of the Court of Appeals which took place on 4th January 2011 in Sofia, R. Bulgaria, the court decided to deny extradition of His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje kyr kyr Jovan, the reason being that an extradition would be contrary to article 7, point 4, of the Law for Extradition and the European Arrest Warrant. According to that law, the extradition is denied if the persecution is on political, racial or religious grounds.

In this case, through the evidence which was submitted to the Court, and the testimonies of the witnesses, it was clearly proven that the persecution against the Archbishop kyr kyr Jovan is on political and religious grounds.

Even if the last sentence, for which R. Macedonia requested extradition, seems as if it did not have political character, the Court determined that it is only a product of the continuous political persecution, which is carried on from 2002 until today.

The Court estimated that in the case of extradition of the Archbishop Jovan to R. Macedonia, there is a danger that the political persecution would continue. Therefore, in accordance with the abovementioned article of the Law, the Bulgarian Court decided not to allow extradition of His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje to the authorities of R. Macedonia. The decision is final, and the sides have no rights for complaint.

Source: http://poa-info.org