His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Porfirije who was supposed to, along with seven other Hierarchs, arrive, according to established procedure, in the afternoon hours to the See of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Monastery of Patriarchate of Peć, on the occasion of the opening of the regular annual meeting of the Holy Assembly of Bishops, was stopped at the administrative crossing of Merdare by the officials of the temporary authorities in Priština who, without any explanation, informed him that entry into the Province was prohibited.

From the standpoint of human rights and freedoms of any individual, the decision to prohibit the arrival of the Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Bishops to the ancient See of the Serbian Orthodox Church is unreasonable and unacceptable. At the same time, it accurately reflects the situation of the Serbian Church and people in Kosovo and Metohija.

The Patriarch appeals to all those who have influence on the situation on Kosovo and Metohija to do what is in their power to stop the flagrant violations of the human rights of the Serbian people, including the right to freedom of movement of the Serbian Patriarch, Bishops, and clergy. Patriarch Porfirije will not abandon his people on Kosovo and Metohija and will do everything possible to meet with them and pray together with them as soon as possible.

The Holy Assembly of Bishops will begin its work tomorrow at the church Saint Sava on Vračar, where the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy, with the concelebration of all Bishops, will commence at 9:00 a.m.