Holy Assembly of Bishops permanently dismisses Bishop Artemije from office of diocesan bishop, Bishop Atanasije continues to act as Administrator of the Diocese of Raška and Prizren

After the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church permanently dismissed, in the final instance, His Grace Bishop Artemije of Raška and Prizren from administering this Diocese, His Grace Bishop Atanasije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, the present Administrator of the same Diocese, resigned from his position but at the request of His Holiness the Patriarch and the Holy Assembly of Bishops agreed to remain in the office of Administrator of the Diocese of Raška-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija until the election of a new Bishop of Raška and Prizren or the appointment of a new administrator.

Bishop Atanasije has withdrawn previously issued canonical epitimia against the elders and brotherhoods of the following monasteries: Crna Reka, Holy Archangels and Devine Vode provided they sincerely accept the decisions of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church in deed, demonstrate sincere obedience to the Bishop Administrator and later to the new Diocesan Bishop elected to the Episcopal chair.

With the blessing of Bishop Atanasije, we are attaching a copy of his act addressed to the Holy Assemby of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church.