The Canonical Status of the Serbian Patriarch in the Statute of the Macedonian Orthodox Church from 1960 and its Differing Interpretations by the Two Churches

Authors

Ivan Yovchev, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”Follow

Author ORCID Identifier

Ivan Yovchev - ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3009-9411

Abstract

After lengthy negotiations that began in the 1940s between the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) and the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MOC) regarding the latter’s autocephaly, the Holy Synod of the SOC initially rejected the decisions of the Initiative Council for the formation of the Macedonian Church. However, at a later stage, the SOC revised its stance, and by 1959, it not only recognized the existence of the Macedonian Church but also granted it the right to independent organization and governance in the form of autonomy. The recognized autonomy of the MOC was met with mixed reactions among Macedonian church leaders. The ambiguities in the definition of autonomy, as outlined in both the 1960 Statute of the MOC and subsequent decisions of the SOC, led to differing interpretations of its scope and nature by the two disputing parties. These differing positions have continued to deepen the problem over time.

Recommended Citation

Yovchev, Ivan (2025) "The Canonical Status of the Serbian Patriarch in the Statute of the Macedonian Orthodox Church from 1960 and its Differing Interpretations by the Two Churches," Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe: Vol. 45 : Iss. 6 , Article 12.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55221/2693-2229.2622
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/ree/vol45/iss6/12