Patriarch of Serbia urges world leaders to protect Serbs in Kosovo

Patriarch Porfirije. Photo: the Serbian Orthodox Church website

On March 13, 2026, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije sent official letters to the leaders of major states and international structures demanding to stop the implementation of the "extremely discriminatory law on foreigners" by the authorities in Pristina, reports the website of the Serbian Patriarchate. The messages were received by Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump, Pope Leo XIV, leaders of France, Italy, Great Britain, Germany, as well as the UN Secretary-General and the head of UNESCO.

"Do not allow the Serbian Orthodox people to be expelled from Kosovo and Metohija," the Primate appealed. According to him, the implementation of the new law will jeopardize not only the work of schools and the university in Kosovska Mitrovica, but also the functioning of the entire healthcare system where Serbs receive assistance.

The Patriarch warned world leaders that depriving people of the opportunity to receive medical treatment and education in their native language will lead to "an even more massive, if not final, exodus of Orthodox Serbs from this ancient Christian land." This territory currently contains about 1,300 churches and monasteries, many of which have previously been subjected to destruction. The Patriarch reminded world leaders that nowhere else in Europe, despite the previously mentioned destruction, is there such a concentration of Christian holy sites in one place, four of which are on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in danger.

Despite the critical situation, the Serbian Orthodox Church continues to insist on finding a peaceful solution. "Human lives are the most sacred and we are obliged to protect them," the Primate concluded.

This concerns the so-called "law on foreigners," which the authorities in Kosovo intend to fully implement from March 15, 2026. Earlier, the UOJ wrote that according to experts, the implementation of this law will allow Pristina authorities to discriminate against Serbian priests, teachers and medical workers and will strike at those who ensure the presence of Serbs in Kosovo, creating unbearable conditions for life and work in churches, schools and hospitals.

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