Archbishop Jovan of Ohrid Released from Prison

Friday, February 06, 2015

Archbishop Jovan (Vraniskovsky) of Ohrid, head of the autonomous Archdiocese of Ohrid, was released from prison on February 2 after more than three years in detention. The Assembly of Bishops rejoices at his release.

Archbishop Jovan has been imprisoned eight times in twelve years on various charges brought by the Macedonian Orthodox Church--Archdiocese of Ohrid (MOC). The MOC unilaterally declared autocephaly in 1967 and is canonically unrecognized.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, made an official visit to Skopje in December to appeal for Archbishop Jovan's release.

The official statement can be read here.