Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) head Patriarch Irinej told Belgrade daily Danas that the church’s top body, the Holy Synod, is waiting to see how the situation in Montenegro will develop and hopes that it will calm down.

“What is happening now is not good for the Serbs in Montenegro, nor for Montenegro itself,” the Patriarch said commenting the protests in that country following the adoption of a law on religious communities which SPC bishops believe will lead to the seizure of church properties including some monasteries by the government.  

 “The Holy Synod is waiting to see developments in Montenegro. We have sent letters to Montenegro Littoral Bishop Amfilohije (the senior SPC clergyman in Montenegro) and to Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic. We will see what will happen,” Irinej said. He said that he has not discuss SPC problems in Montenegro with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.