Archbishop Jovan Fund USA
Very Reverend Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes, President
2618 West Bannock Street
Boise, Idaho USA
Telephone 208-345-6147
Fax 208-3435-6147
Email father@serfes.org

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Antonio Milososki
“Dame Gruev” St. No. 6,
1000 Skopje
Republic of Macedonia

31.08.2008

Dear Mr. Antonio Milosoki,

I am president of the Archbishop Jovan Fund USA. I instituted this charity because of continuing concern for the welfare and safety of His Beatitude, Archbishop Jovan of Ochrid and Skopje, who, for several years now, has been persecuted to the point of imprisonment for attempting to serve as pastor to a remnant congregation of Serbian Orthodox souls living under the territorial domination of the nationally established Macedonian Orthodox Church. I offered him assistance not only because of the deplorable conditions with which he and the faithful in his diocese have had to contend, but also because, as an American who places a high value on the ideal of religious freedom, I find such persecution and coercion intolerably offensive wherever and in whatever form they occur.

I recently again visited Skopje in the Republic of Macedonia. Upon arriving at the border, I was approached and delayed for over half an hour by border guards who insisted upon thoroughly investigating my credentials. Upon my subsequent departure, I was again delayed for an even more lengthy inspection of my papers. During my stay with Bishop David, I was informed that this sort of over-zealous investigation, to the point of bordering on outright harassment, is a common occurrence when Orthodox clergy attempt to enter or leave the country. Evidently, Orthodox Christians who are not members of the nationally recognized Macedonian Orthodox Church are still being subjected to discrimination by civil authorities.

It has become widely known throughout the free world that Archbishop Jovan has been unable to return to his assigned pastoral post due to the threat of further imprisonment. The harassment of him and his congregation continues to the present day.

Has the Republic of Macedonia rejected the principle of religious freedom? Throughout the civilized world, the right of every person to choose where and how he or she will worship, and that includes the right to change religious affiliation when individual conscious so dictates, is a fundamental aspect of basic human rights. Has the republic of Macedonia rejected human rights?

I believe we must recognize, address, and ultimately resolve these issues for the sake of every soul who is a citizen of the Republic of Macedonia. May the God Who hears the petition of all His Christian family, in whatever Church they choose to approach and pray to Him, guide us together toward justice and freedom in His Name.

Peace to your soul!

Humbly in Christ our Lord,
+Very Reverend Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes
President of the Archbishop Jovan Fund USA

CC Minister of Internal Affairs
Ms. Gordana Jankulovska

Deputy Prime Minister
Mr. Ivica Bocevski