On the steps of Belgrade University, students light candles in memory of those who perished in the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse, demanding accountability for their loss. Their chants echo through the streets, a growing voice of conscience in a time of national reckoning. In times of crisis, people often look to the Church for guidance, which begs the question: Where does it stand? What began as grief over a tragic accident has also sparked broader discussions about governance and institutional accountability.

Serbia faces growing political uncertainty, with mounting public pressure for accountability and reform. The resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević in response to public criticism has only deepened the crisis of confidence in national leadership. What began as local outrage over the collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy, taking fifteen lives and severely injuring two more, has evolved into a nationwide movement. Student-led demonstrations have drawn support from nearly every major university in the country, demanding full transparency regarding the railway station reconstruction, the release of detained protesters with all charges annulled, accountability for those responsible for attacks on students and professors, and a 20% increase in the national budget for higher education.

Despite the Serbian Orthodox Church serving as a long-term source of moral guidance, it now faces conflicting expectations. Some urge it to take a clear stance on gоvernance and accountability, while others insist it should remain silent, respecting the principle of church-state separation. Neither extreme fully captures the Church’s prophetic mission.

As the Body of Christ, the Church is neither a political tool nor a passive observer. Its mission is to bear witness to truth, uphold justice, and defend human dignity. This duty is longstanding; the Old Testament prophets taught that justice is the foundation of peace. “The effect of righteоusness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust fоrever” (Isaiah 32:17).

Fulfilling this mission requires wisdom and discernment. Reinhold Niebuhr cautioned that Christians need “the wisdоm to know the difference” between situations that call for patience and those that demand action (Serenity Prayer). Likewise, MLK Jr., in his Letter from Birmingham Jail, warned that deferring justice indefinitely is itself a form of injustice: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The Church’s role is not to take sides in political contests but to serve as a moral compass, advocating for justice, confronting corruption, and fostering reconciliation.

While many seek an immediate response, the Church acts with deliberation, guided by reflectiоn rather than impulse. In his most recent Christmas Encyclical, Patriarch Porfirije underscоred the need for patience and wisdom in public life: “By all means, let us build bridges of understanding, love, and peace, even though we know well that bridge builders are often stoned from both sides.”

His words highlight a crucial truth: the Church stands for justice while refusing to become a source of division. Some argue that Serbia, as a secular state (Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, Art. 11), requires the Church to refrain from public commentary. While the Constitution separates church and state, it does not silence the Church on moral and ethical issues. The Eastern Orthodox tradition has, at times, wrestled with its role in public life. However, rather than advocating for withdrawal, it ultimately calls the Church to serve as a moral conscience. As Saint John Chrysostom puts it, “A priest is not appointed to preside over earthly matters, but to protect spiritual interests. And yet, these cannot be separated from the life of the city” (On the Priesthood, 3.4).

The Serbian Orthodox Church has always stood alongside its people. From safeguarding faith under Ottoman rule to supporting the nation through times of turmoil, its role in public life has remained vital. Today is no different. The Church’s role is not to become an extension of political factions but to offer a witness that transcends partisanship.

Some have expressed frustration, believing the Church has remained silent, but this perception overlooks the vоices of clergy and theologians who have spoken out. Following the Novi Sad tragedy, Metropolitan Irinej of Bačka led a memorial service, calling for “accountability and justice.” Father Vladan Perišić, former dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology at the University of Belgrade, addressed the moral responsibility of the Church in times of crisis, stating, “The Church is called to bear witness to the truth, not to become a tool for justifying the injustices of the world.” Meanwhile, Bishop Grigorije of Düsseldorf emphasized, “To be human today in Serbia, at the very least, means to stand with our children. Firstly, because their goals are humane and, in the deepest sense of the word, Christian.”

This is not inaction. It is a deliberate response that upholds justice while avoiding the pitfalls of partisanship and divisiоn. Rather than aligning with political movements, the Church has sought to advocate for truth and reconciliation, much like the late Patriarch Pavle during the 1996–1997 student demonstrations.

Some mistake the Church’s call for peace as an endorsement of the status quo, while others fear that focusing on reconciliation dilutes the need for justice. However, true justice and peace are not opposing forces but inseparable companions. Like two sides of the same coin, one is meaningless without the other.

Hannah Arendt, reflecting on revolutions and political upheavals (On Revolution, Ch. 2), warned that justice pursued through retributiоn often leads to new cycles of oppression. The Church’s witness should emphasize justice that restores rather than destroys.

The Serbian Orthodox Church continues to stand for justice, not as defined by political ideology but by its core Christian faith. That means upholding accountability without falling into the trap of political purges or indiscriminate blame. The Church should be a bridge, not a barricade.

As tensions rise, the Church has an opportunity to act as a unifying fоrce. It can organize national prayer vigils, open channels for dialоgue between students and leaders, and encourage theologians to contribute to discussions on ethical gоvernance. These initiatives would not only demonstrate solidarity with those seeking justice but also reinforce the Church’s role as a stabilizing force. Lay Orthodox believers also have a role: promoting dialogue within their communities, advocating for peaceful solutions, and encouraging clergy to offer moral leadership. Faith must inspire action.

Forcing the Church to fit political expectations is like placing it on Procrustes’ bed, either distorting its identity beyond recognition or diminishing it to fit a predetermined agenda. The Church is neither a political tool nor a passive spectator. Its key mission remains clear: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteоusness” (Matthew 6:33). It must remain steadfast in truth, resisting pressures that seek to reshape it for political ends.

Now, more than ever, the Serbian Orthodox Church must embody its highest calling: to be a bridge between justice and peace, not a barricade, guiding the nation toward reconciliation, truth, and moral clarity.

La vérité parle à qui veut l’entendre!

Author: Srdjan Maksimovic

Source: Publicorthodoxy.org