Serbian Orthodox Church warns new guide requirement may curb pilgrimages to Kosovo sites

Starting 1 August, Pristina will require that organized groups of pilgrims visiting Serbian Orthodox holy sites in Kosovo and Metohija be accompanied by a licensed tourist guide. Ivana Ćorić, organizer of pilgrimage tours, said the sudden rule was learned only through social‑media posts and flyers, leaving travel agencies and humanitarian groups uncertain. She warned that the measure could discourage believers and reduce the number of visitors.

Luka Jovanović, an assistant at the Faculty of Philosophy in Kosovska Mitrovica, described the regulation as more than a technical application of law, suggesting it is intended to weaken the Serbian Orthodox Church’s presence in the region. While some fear it may limit pilgrim access, Jovanović added that the policy could also deepen the faithful’s attachment to the monasteries that symbolize the church’s survival in Kosovo.