Admiral George M. Wikoff and New KFOR Commander Major General Roberto Vergori Visit Gračanica Monastery

Admiral George M. Wikoff, Commander of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Naples, visited Gračanica Monastery this afternoon, accompanied by the new KFOR Commander, Major General Roberto Vergori, and members of their respective delegations.

The guests were received at the Monastery by His Eminence Metropolitan Teodosije of Raška and Prizren, together with Archimandrite Sava and their associates. They first visited the monastery church, where Metropolitan Teodosije introduced them to the more than seven centuries of history of Gračanica, an endowment of the Holy King Milutin, and explained the exceptional spiritual, artistic and cultural significance of its frescoes.

During the meeting that followed at the Monastery, Metropolitan Teodosije briefed the distinguished guests on the life and spiritual mission of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the many challenges faced daily by the Diocese, its holy sites and its faithful.

Particular attention was given to the concerns of the Serbian population regarding security, the rule of law and the protection of fundamental freedoms, as well as the importance of maintaining trust through consistent, impartial and responsible conduct by all security and institutional actors. The Metropolitan emphasised the importance of KFOR’s presence in preserving peace and stability, particularly in vulnerable Serbian communities, and expressed his profound gratitude for KFOR’s continued commitment to protecting Visoki Dečani Monastery, which remains under the care of the peacekeeping forces.

Admiral Wikoff reaffirmed KFOR’s full commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities. He also expressed his deep admiration for the beauty of Gračanica Monastery, its ancient frescoes and its rich history, emphasising the importance of preserving this precious spiritual and cultural heritage for the whole world.

The visit followed the change-of-command ceremony held earlier that morning at KFOR Headquarters in Pristina, presided over by Admiral Wikoff. The outgoing KFOR Commander, Major General Özkan Ulutaş, handed over command to Major General Roberto Vergori of the Italian Armed Forces.

Metropolitan Teodosije wished the new KFOR Commander every success in carrying out his important responsibilities, expressing the hope that cooperation between KFOR and the Diocese of Raška and Prizren would continue in a spirit of open dialogue, mutual respect and shared responsibility for preserving peace, ensuring the security of all communities and protecting religious and cultural heritage sites.

The meeting took place in a warm and open atmosphere, with both sides expressing their readiness to maintain direct communication and cooperation.