The complete collapse of the false synod of Bojović’s group continues with new scandals. After the repentance and departure of the first false bishop Kyrjakos, a new scandal followed with the expulsion of the second false bishop Joanikije/Luke, while the third “bishop” Ivan presents himself exclusively as a Ukrainian bishop in Montenegro on his Facebook profile, without any responsibility toward Montenegro and Montenegrins. Thus, this grotesque story about “saving the Montenegrin Orthodox Church” receives its tragic epilogue. As he sowed discord in the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, so now he reaps in his private para-ecclesiastical organization.

Picture 1. Bojović’s “Synod” from 2023; Kyrjakos (sitting left), Ivan (sitting right)

This concludes the process of the dissolution of the false “metropolitan” Bojan Bojović’s circle that we wrote about.. https://www.cpc.org.me/latinica/naslovna/izabrano/2988-joanikije-treci-i-potonji-put-medu-crnogorcima/

FIRST FALSE ORDINATION: Domenico Cantore (Bishop Kyriakos)

The first false and inglorious ordination was performed on November 12, 2023, over the former Italian Roman Catholic priest Domenico Cantore, to whom the “great” Bojović awarded the title of “bishop” for Greater Greece. Cantore publicly repented in Italy for his homosexual past, and then on St. Lucia’s Day, October 31, 2024, expressed repentance for accepting the false ordination from Bojović.

After ordination, Cantore quickly realized that he had made a serious mistake. Italian authorities never recognized him as a representative of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, and the Roman Catholic Church defrocked him for accepting this false ordination. Bojović hastily awarded episcopal rank to a man he had seen only three times in his life, which speaks to his irresponsibility toward church structure.

Picture 2. Kyrjakos receives a Decree from Bojović, misusing the original seal and dry stamp of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, which is the subject of a special Criminal complaint.

Cantore lasted with Bojović only 354 days, mostly working remotely, before publicly severing ties with the false Synod. In his penitential letter, Cantore admitted that he had to pay 500 euros to receive the false episcopal ordination, which is a classic example of simony (buying church ranks). He described Bojović as a dictator who does not want dialogue and who is connected with dangerous Masonic and occult organizations.

After Cantore’s public renunciation, Bojović did not even respond, but quietly removed him from the list of members of his false Synod, hoping that the whole matter would go unnoticed.

More information about Cantore’s repentance can be found on the official website of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church: https://www.cpc.org.me/latinica/naslovna/izabrano/2803-pokajao-se-clan-bojanovog-laznog-sinoda/

SECOND FALSE ORDINATION: Ivan Oleshchuk (Bishop of Duklja)

The second false ordination occurred on November 13, 2023, over the former Ukrainian married priest (which means he is married) of the alleged name Ivan, surname Oleshchuk, who arrived in Montenegro as a refugee. Although he still formally bears the title of Bojović’s “bishop of Duklja,” Oleshchuk presents himself on social networks exclusively as a Ukrainian priest who serves only for Ukrainians, using the Ukrainian flag and the title “Ukrainian Orthodoxy in Montenegro” on his profile, without any reference to the Montenegrin Orthodox Church or responsibility toward Montenegro and Montenegrins.

It is indicative that Oleshchuk is not a member of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, nor does he have a blessing from it for his activities in Montenegro. His nationalistic approach to ministry, which excludes the local population, is in direct opposition to the basic mission of an Orthodox bishop who should serve all believers in his territory. This clearly shows that Oleshchuk uses Bojović’s organization only as a front for his activities among the Ukrainian diaspora.

PICTURE 3: Facebook profile “Епископ Дуклянський Іван” (Ukrainian Orthodoxy in Montenegro)

Although Oleshchuk is still formally tied to Bojović’s organization, it seems that he does this only out of personal interests and fear of returning to war-torn Ukraine. His case shows how Bojović abuses the difficult situation of refugees to expand his false influence, not caring for the real needs of believers and authentic church unity, nor for sisterly relations with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, without whose blessing he “ordains” their clergy.

THIRD FALSE ORDINATION: Jovan Kozmin Barza (Bishop Luke of Prevalitana)

The most scandalous of all false ordinations occurred on August 5, 2024, in Romania, when Bojović “ordained” the defrocked Romanian priest Jovan Kozmin Barza. The ordination was performed in the yard of a private “church” and center for dubious “healings,” which serves to take money from sick and desperate people.

Picture 4. Joanikije Barza Source: https://www.gorjeanul.ro/episcopul-barza-de-la-targu-jiu-dat-afara-si-din-vicariatul-mitropoliei-ortodoxe-muntenegru-din-romania/

Barza has an extremely problematic past – he was married and was judicially convicted for physical violence against his wife, which led to divorce. The Romanian Orthodox Church defrocked him for multiple violations, including deviation from Orthodox faith and participation in esoteric shows with magicians and fortune-tellers. After defrocking in 2020, he joined a non-canonical group in Romania where he was “tonsured” under the name Joanikije.

Bojović, fearing the reaction of the Montenegrin public to the name “Joanikije” (which reminds of Metropolitan Joanikije I Lipovac and Joanikije II Mićović), arbitrarily changed Barza’s monastic name to “Luke,” which represents an additional violation of church canons.

After ordination, Barza was appointed as “vicar bishop of Prevalitana,” which was supposed to evoke the ancient Christian tradition of Prevalitana in the territory of present-day Montenegro. However, this connection with Bojović lasted only 88 days! Already on November 1, 2024, the conflict within the Romanian branch of Bojović’s group culminated.

Bojović and the false Romanian Vicariate concluded that Barza continued with deceptions even after being given a “second chance.” In the official document of exclusion, the so-called Vicariate of the Orthodox Metropolia of Montenegro in Romania states: “We understand that you have learned nothing from your (controversial) past, and many decisions and behavior you have shown toward us are identical to the reasons cited by the Orthodox Metropolia of Oltenia within the Romanian Orthodox Church when the penalty of degradation was applied to you.”

The Vicariate also expressed regret for the wrong assessment: “We regret the fact that in your case we made a big mistake by supporting you to become a ‘vicar bishop’ without foreseeing the cunning interest you had for elevation. We finally managed to discover your true face.”

After exclusion, Barza continued to use the false episcopal title, further deceiving the Romanian people and compromising the reputation of Orthodoxy in that country.

The document on Barza’s exclusion from the so-called Vicariate can be seen at: https://gorjeanul.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NOT-75NV24-BARZA-2.jpg

PICTURE 5: Facsimile of the document on the exclusion of Joanikije/Luke Barza from the so-called Vicariate of the Orthodox Metropolia of Montenegro in Romania

ASSOCIATES OF QUESTIONABLE MORALS

Around Bojović and his false bishops, a series of people of questionable morals and past have gathered. Particularly problematic is the case of Gabriel Teodosie Vlad, who was Bojović’s “priest” and Barza’s secretary in Romania. Vlad was caught attempting sexual exploitation of a minor at a railway station. During his escape by car, two people were injured when the vehicle hit them and lifted them onto the hood.

A video recording of the incident in which Gabriel Teodosie Vlad participated can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K62SzvUOzHo

In addition to this serious offense, Vlad was seen stealing in stores while dressed in priestly vestments. Previously, he ran a construction company through which he also deceived people. Such a choice of associates further speaks to Bojović’s lack of judgment and disrespect for basic moral principles.

FAILED PROMISE OF TOMOS

For all these anonymous and dubious characters that Bojović has gathered and through all these scandals, it becomes clear why Bojović’s promise to save the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, and especially the shameful promise of quickly obtaining a tomos (official recognition) from the Patriarchate of Constantinople, remained only an empty and almost grotesque word. Through his actions, he undermines sisterly relations with the Romanian, Bulgarian, and Ukrainian churches by appointing bishops on the soil of those local churches, without their blessing and knowledge. No serious church would consider recognizing an organization whose leader destroys the canonical unity of his church, and carelessly appoints and dismisses bishops, accepts persons of problematic past, and connects with individuals who are involved in serious moral and criminal offenses.

In just one year, all three false bishops that Bojović appointed either left him or were expelled, and his “vicariates” in Italy and Romania experienced complete collapse. This shows the fundamental instability and lack of seriousness of his organization, which is further and further from any official recognition.

The behavior of Bojan Bojović causes serious damage to the reputation of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church and Orthodoxy in general, and his actions become increasingly isolated and marginalized in Montenegro.

In Cetinje, August 31, 2025

Public Relations Department of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church