Macedonian Orthodox Church responds to Vučić's remarks on religious jurisdiction

The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric (MPC-OA) has issued a response to statements made by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić regarding the jurisdiction of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC).

Speaking in Mrkonjić Grad, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vučić stated that the Serbian Orthodox Church is “the same” in various locations, specifically mentioning Skopje alongside other global cities. He suggested that attempts to decentralize or federalize the SPC would be detrimental to the Serbian people and church.

The MPC-OA responded by emphasizing that it carries out its spiritual and pastoral mission within its own canonical territory. The Holy Synod of the MPC-OA asserted its status as the successor to the restored Ohrid Archbishopric and stated that the church remains open to all Orthodox Christians regardless of national, political, or ethnic affiliation. The MPC-OA noted that its mission is not tied to political or national divisions.