Montenegrin govt urges to punish SOC for Basil of Ostrog Feast

Montenegro Photo: ria.ru

On May 12, 2020, the National Coordination Council for Infectious Diseases (NKT) under the Montenegrin government urged the country's Prosecutor’s Office to immediately respond to the celebrations and religious processions held by the Serbian Orthodox Church in honor of St. Basil of Ostrog during the quarantine in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. It is reported by RIA Novosti.

“The joint efforts and results achieved by all structures and citizens to preserve health and lives today have been rudely challenged by the unlawful assembly in Niksic,” the officials said.

The NKT called on the Prosecutor’s Office and the Chief State Prosecutor to "immediately and urgently take legal actions in accordance with their authority and initiate proceedings against the organizers of the unlawful and epidemiologically risky event."

The Serbian Church was also accused of not complying with the National Coordination Council for Infectious Diseases. Earlier, the Montenegrin Police Department said that "everyone who did not comply with the agreements and promises given to the police will be held responsible and will feel the consequences."

Recall, on May 12, 2020, hundreds of Orthodox Christians came to Montenegro on the Ostrog ridge in order to commemorate St. Basil of Ostrog. Upon agreement with the authorities, the visit of worshipers to the Ostrog rock monastery took place subject to social distance, mandatory disinfection and other protective measures. In the evening, several thousand people gathered at the Cathedral of St. Basil of Ostrog in the city of Niksic to participate in a cross procession along the street. The Montenegrin Prosecutor’s Office detained Bishop Joanikije and another seven priests of the SOC for 72 hours for participating in the festivities and the cross procession in honor of St. Basil of Ostrog.

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