Although a dialogue began yesterday between representatives of the Montenegro government and hierarchs of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church, regarding a controversial law that the Church says aims to confiscate its properties and relics, the latter clarified that twice-weekly rallies will continue in cities around the small Adriatic country.
The Church has been organizing protests and prayer rallies on Thursdays and Sundays since Christmas, against the implementation of Montenegro’s so-called Freedom of Religion Law.
The Orthodox Church in Montenegro and several opposition parties are demanding the annulment of the law, pointing to dictatorial-like provisions transferring Church property to state ownership if the Church cannot provide ownership deeds and titles dating before 1918..
A major rally is being organized for Sunday, March 15, in Belgrade, in solidarity to the Orthodox faithful in Montenegro, where the Patriarch of Serbia, His Holiness Irinej is set to attend.