# Serbian political remarks on Orthodox Church jurisdiction

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/serbian-political-remarks-on-orthodox-church-jurisdiction
> Updated: 2026-08-15T15:31:24.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 3.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has sparked diplomatic and ecclesiastical friction through remarks regarding the jurisdiction and unity of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC).

In Montenegro, Vučić’s emphasis on the importance of the SPC’s unity, referencing the 2020 litije, drew conflicting responses. The Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (MCP) stated that political interpretations of church matters are unacceptable and damage unity, while the Budimlja-Nikšić eparchy praised his remarks as an “exceptional contribution to safeguarding truth.”

The tension expanded to North Macedonia following Vučić’s comments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he suggested that the SPC remains “the same” in various locations, including Skopje, and warned that attempts to decentralize or federalize the church would be detrimental to the Serbian people. 

The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric (MPC-OA) responded by asserting its spiritual mission within its own canonical territory, maintaining that its status as the successor to the restored Ohrid Archbishopric is not tied to political or national divisions. North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski dismissed Vučić’s remarks as belonging to the past rather than the 21st century, asserting that the MPC-OA is a fundamental pillar of Macedonian identity.

Analysts suggest these tensions stem from underlying property and canonical disputes. Although the SPC granted a tomos of autocephaly to the Macedonian church four years ago, disputes persist regarding the formal ownership of monasteries and shrines, which the Serbian Church reportedly views as being under its formal jurisdiction despite being used by the Macedonian Church.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-15: North Macedonia PM defends church identity after Serbian President's comments

North Macedonian PM Hristijan Mickoski defended his nation's church identity following comments by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić claiming the Serbian Orthodox Church is the same in Skopje.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-pm-defends-church-identity-after-serbian-presidents-comments

### 2026-08-12: Macedonian Orthodox Church responds to Vučić's remarks on religious jurisdiction

The Macedonian Orthodox Church responded to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's claims regarding the Serbian Orthodox Church's presence in Skopje, asserting its own canonical authority and mission.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macedonian-orthodox-church-responds-to-vuis-remarks-on-religious-jurisdiction

### 2026-08-05: Aleksandar Vučić's remarks spark church‑state tension in Montenegro

Vučić's comments on the Serbian Orthodox Church and 2020 litije prompted a rebuttal from Montenegro's Metropolitanate, while a Montenegrin eparchy praised his stance, highlighting church‑state tensions.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aleksandar-vuis-remarks-spark-churchstate-tension-in-montenegro

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Cite as: Serbian political remarks on Orthodox Church jurisdiction. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/serbian-political-remarks-on-orthodox-church-jurisdiction