Some Charges Against Macedonian Archbishop Upheld

Last week, Macedonia's Supreme Court acquitted the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the country of two charges, but affirmed his conviction on two others, upholding the 18-month jail sentence he is serving. According to Forum 18 today, Archbishop Jovan (Vranisskovski) of Ohrid. The Archbishop was acquitted of charges of holding a religious service in his father's apartment and being present at the consecration of two bishops in Serbia in 2003. But his conviction for inciting national and religious hatred by becoming exarch of the Ohrid Archbishopric, and for having church calendars were affirmed. The calendars were booklets containing holy dates, prayers and saints' pictures. After prior acquittals, he now faces a new trial on charges of embezzlement, which he alleges was merely depositing foreign funds under his name because the Church was not allowed to hold foreign currency.