Hilandar Monastery distances itself from Stojković, bans him from using its name

The Monastery of Hilandar has issued a statement prohibiting Miloš Stojković from identifying himself as an official representative or trustee of the monastery.

In its announcement, Hilandar acknowledged past collaborations with Stojković on charitable endeavors. However, the monastery emphasized that these past partnerships do not confer any official status or authorization for Stojković to act or speak on its behalf. The ancient monastic institution stressed its established spiritual and organizational order.

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Cooperation does not represent a blessing, nor does it have the designation and appointment of official capacity in public affairs for any person to officially act in the name of the monastery as its 'trustee' or 'representative'.

According to the statement, the sole official representative of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar in Serbia is the Hilandar Endowment Foundation, headquartered in Belgrade. This clarification comes after Stojković appeared on national television discussing the Holy Belt of the Theotokos, which was displayed at the Saint Sava Temple in Belgrade.

During his television appearance, Stojković reportedly spoke about the initiative to bring the Holy Belt to Serbia, mentioning a donation of one million euros from the state to the Vatopedi Monastery as a gesture of gratitude for agreeing to transport the relic. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has denied claims that the state paid for the relic's transport, stating it was not related to his family.

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The ancient monastic institutions have a regulated and clear spiritual, as well as organizational order. In accordance with this, the only official representative of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar in the homeland is the Hilandar Endowment Foundation, based in Belgrade.