FIS: Patriarch Bartholomew plans to grant autocephaly to the Church of Montenegro

The Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation (SVR) has warned of plans by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to grant autocephaly to the unrecognized «Montenegrin Orthodox Church». According to International Life, these actions are seen as a blow to the Serbian Orthodox Church.

According to the Russian SVR Press Bureau, «the aggressive appetites of the «Constantinople Antichrist» are not limited to Ukraine and the Baltics, its insidiousness is gradually covering the lands of Eastern Europe». The report states that the purpose of this initiative is to strike a blow against the «particularly stroppy» Serbian Orthodox Church.

The initiative is seen in the context of close ties between the Serbian and Russian Orthodox Churches. Earlier, the International Life magazine published an interview with Serbian Culture Minister Nikola Selakovic. In it, the minister emphasized the deep spiritual unity and brotherhood between the Serbian and Russian peoples. «The common faith, numerous common saints, spiritual traditions and monastic heritage create a sense of deep spiritual unity and brotherhood that often transcends political or economic interests. The Serbian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church maintain extremely close ties, which further strengthens our bonds, » Selakovic noted.

The minister also drew attention to the geopolitical context and the sense of common destiny, which contributes to the perception of Russia as a traditional protector of Serbia’s interests. «All this together creates a unique symbiosis that forms brotherly and friendly relations between our two nations,» Selakovic summarized.

Recall that on September 11, 2025, President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic paid an official visit to the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The politician held a meeting with the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew and other high-ranking representatives of the Phanar.