Having been deposed as Bishop of Raska and Prizren by the Serbian Patriarchate a few years ago for disobedience (see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here), and recently installing a new Bishop of "Old" Raska and Loznica single-handedly and not recognizing the canonical Bishop of Raska and Prizren, Artemije (who has gained fame among conservative and anti-ecumenist Orthodox for his association with St. Justin Popovich) was put on an ultimatum by the Patriarchate of Serbia to present himself and repent of his actions or risk being excommunicated. Refusing to respond to the Patriarchate, and not repenting of his act of schism, the Patriarchate of Serbia has officially excommunicated Artemije from the Church.
Thomas Anastasiadis
May 30, 2015
An excommunication and deposition of former Bishop Artemije to the order of layman went out today, Friday 29 May 2015, by the Holy Synod of Hierarchs of the Orthodox Church of Serbia.
The decision was taken following the refusal of the former Bishop of Raska and Prizren Artemije to receive the document of the Holy Synod which called him to repent and return to the canonical Church.
According to the Constitution of the Church of Serbia, the former Bishop Artemije and the newly-ordained pseudo-bishop of the non-existent Old Raska and Loznica, Abbot Nicholas, are cut off from the body of the canonical Church permanently.
The announcement of the Patriarchate of Serbia stated: "We pray to the Lord to give them repentance, which is the only path to salvation."
At the same time, the decision of the Patriarchate continues, the monks, nuns and laity, who until today participated in their worship and have supported the schism, are invited to return to the canonical order of the Orthodox Church and her Eucharistic unity, because their mysteries are not Mysteries (their baptism is not Baptism, their communion is not Communion), their blessing is not a Blessing, but it is a curse for all those who receive it, and the only way out of this situation without a blessing, is by repentance and returning to the bosom of the true Church.
Finally, the Holy Synod calls the monastics and laity who were spiritually deceived by Artemije, who thinks he is the only true Bishop, to be careful of their situation.
Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
