The Montenegrin Orthodox Church, with deep concern and moral responsibility, warns the Montenegrin public about the dangerous rise of hate speech, violence, persecution of dissenters, as well as attacks on members of other faiths and nations in Montenegro. What we have been witnessing in recent years is not a spontaneous social disorder, but the result of years of sowing hatred and ideological poisoning of society by those who cannot tolerate Montenegro either as a state or as a community of free and equal people.

In the language of those who today present themselves as guardians of “centuries-old tradition,” but actually serve foreign political-ecclesiastical projects, the term “Turk” does not mean a member of one nation or faith, but “an enemy who must be exterminated.” Such discourse is led by priests, philosophers and teachers of the pseudo-mythology of the Kosovo covenant, who have systematically taught our people for decades to hate their neighbors, relatives, fellow citizens and brothers with whom Montenegro shares space, history and life.

Attacks on Turkish businessmen, destruction of their property, endangering their peace and security represent a disgrace to Montenegro’s institutions. But we must clearly state: these are not the deeds of Montenegrins, these are not the deeds of Orthodox people who have Christ in their hearts. These are the deeds of those who work against Montenegro, against its constitutional order, against its multiethnic, civic and libertarian nature.

Those who today attack Turks on the streets of Podgorica want to set Montenegro against its neighbors, partners and friends with whom we have been building relationships of trust and cooperation for decades. By doing so, they want to weaken Montenegro, to divide it from within and make it vulnerable. We all remember Joanikije’s words, when he publicly said that Montenegrins were “eager to cut Turkish heads” and that “this is somehow still present in us today.” Such statements are not accidental, nor is this campaign against foreigners in Montenegro, which began before this hysteria.

Today, the Montenegrin Orthodox Church confirms precisely that heritage: Our struggle has never been to humiliate others, but to defend freedom. Just as it has honored Montenegro for 25 years, bowing to the shadows of genocide victims in Srebrenica.

We stand in solidarity with every person over whom fear and threat are being spread. We stand in solidarity with our fellow citizens from Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Azerbaijan and other countries who live, work or invest in Montenegro.

The hatred directed towards them is, above all, directed against Montenegro itself. It is not our tradition. It is not our history either. This is a dangerous political project that is being realized through continuous action and calls for hatred and a return to the darkest patterns of divisions that have marked all centuries. Because the struggle for modern Montenegro has lasted for centuries, and it has always been accompanied by domestic traitors and collaborators who wanted to return us to darkness and conflicts, so that they could rule over us.

Because in their hate speech, the Montenegrin Orthodox Church is also a “Turk,” as much as all others who are not part of their tribal Montenegrin cult. Today it is the Turks who are targeted, tomorrow it will be us, because we too are “Turks” to those who pervert our Orthodox faith and use “The Mountain Wreath” as a basis for the extermination of dissenters.

We remind those who think this way, and think they are great Orthodox believers because they participate in this persecution of Muslims, of the foundations of our Orthodox faith: God created every human being in His image and likeness. Whoever humiliates a person – has humiliated God. Whoever spreads hatred – distances themselves from Christ. Whoever remains silent in the face of injustice – participates in it.

We call upon: The institutions of Montenegro to urgently and consistently protect the endangered, not only in Podgorica, but also in Cetinje and in all other cities that are targets of this destruction. The Prosecutor’s Office and police to react without delay. Citizens not to succumb to manipulations and false “defenders of faith” who have no faith. All religious communities and social actors to publicly stand in defense of peace, dignity and brotherhood.

Montenegro is a land of honor and heroism. A land of freedom. A land where one is not asked what their name is, but what kind of person they are.

May there be room in our hearts for every person of good will, and may the perpetrators of crimes be punished and the security of Montenegro preserved.

Cetinje, October 29, in the Year of Our Lord 2025.

Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro

† Mihailo