PODGORICA, MONTENEGRO: February 24, 2020
Bishop John of Caracas and South America participates in a thousands-strong procession of the cross and prayerful vigil in Montenegro in defense of the Serbian Orthodox Church

On the night of February 16-17, 2020, His Grace Bishop John of Caracas and South America participated in a procession of the cross and prayerful vigil of Orthodox Christians in Podgorica, Montenegro. Tens of thousands of Orthodox people of this city, headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilohije of Montenegro and the Coastlands gathered for the event, which ended with prayers at the city cathedral.

Bishop John also participated in the largest mass gathering in Niksic, the second-largest city of Montenegro.

The many thousands were defending the rights and holy sites of the parishioners of the Serbian Orthodox Church in various cities of Montenegro, which they are doing every Sunday and Thursday. They are objecting to the new law on "freedom of religion" which actually suppresses the rights and interests of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Bishop John of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia participated to express both his personal support and that of his Church to the clergy and parishioners of the Montenegran Metropoliate of the Serbian Orthodox Church.