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The Serbian Orthodox Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to peace, dialogue, and cooperationtranslated

July 21, 2026 · 1 min read

In reference to the spiritual, cultural, and historical role of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as its enduring commitment to peace, dialogue, and cooperation with all people of good will, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Chrysostom of Dambovica spoke during a meeting he held with John Ginkel, the U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Most Reverend presented to the American diplomat the daily life and, above all, the mission of the Local Church, highlighting the values it upholds for its flock.

At the conclusion of the meeting, which took place in a spirit of mutual respect and goodwill, as reported by the Holy Metropolis of Dambovica, Mr. Ginkel thanked the Most Reverend Metropolitan Chrysostom for the warm reception and the opportunity for open discussion, as well as for the expressed desire for continued communication.

Earlier this week, the Metropolitan of Dambovica was visited by Ole Sandal Miller, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were discussed, as well as the importance of mutual understanding and…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (14) 🌐 Show original

Anthony Collins

Glad the Metropolitan stressed peace, dialogue, and cooperation with everyone of good will. It’s good to see both the American chargé and the Danish ambassador taking time to sit down and talk with him about the Church’s daily work. Simple meetings like these beat grand statements any day.

Teodora Popescu

I am glad that Metropolitan Chrysostom spoke about the daily life of the Church and about the values it preserves for the parishioners. It's good that the ambassadors came to listen, not just to talk. Simple meetings like these bring more understanding than long speeches.

Ioana Stan

Yes, I also noticed that he insisted on this part with everyday life, not just history. It's more convincing that way, when you see that the Church deals with concrete people, not just statements. Do you think that such meetings really change something in the way diplomats see the situation in our country?

Ana Munteanu

Yes, I noticed that too – it's good that he talked concretely about what the Church does every day for the parishioners, not just about the historical role. I think such discussions help more than official releases. What do you think, Teodora, would it help if other ambassadors came more often to see the small parishes around Sarajevo?

Andreea Stoica

Yes, Ana, you're right, he's more convincing when he talks about everyday things - like how he helps with schools and the elderly. I say that it would be good for that Danish ambassador to come and see the small parishes, not just Sarajevo. Have you been in the area recently?

Xenia Parker

I agree, those quiet sit-downs usually accomplish more than any big speech. The Metropolitan has always put real effort into keeping lines open with folks from different backgrounds here in Bosnia. Makes you wonder what small practical steps might come out of the Danish visit too.

Daniel Miller

I agree with you, Anthony. Those low-key meetings tend to stick because they're about listening, not scoring points. The Danish ambassador's visit coming right after makes me curious what everyday local issues they might have touched on, like the church's work with youth or the gardens some of our parishes keep going.

Daniela Stan

Yes, Ana, you got the part about the daily chores right - in our parish, the priest visits the lonely elderly every week with packages from the parishioners. I think it would be more useful if the ambassadors also saw the small villages around Sarajevo, not just the offices in the center. Do you have any idea if that Dane also asked about social benefits?

Gregory Morris

Yeah, those low-key meetings do tend to stick better than the loud ones. I remember reading how the Metropolitan kept showing up at local events even when tensions were high a few years back. Any idea what the Danish ambassador was most curious about?

Constantin Tudor

Yes, Ana, you are right that he talked about concrete everyday affairs, not just history. In our parish, for example, the priest organizes fishing with the village boys to keep them away from nonsense. Do you think that these ambassadors would really understand if they came to a small parish around Sarajevo, or would they still stay in office discussions?

John Johnson

I like how you put it about listening instead of scoring points. Our parish here in Denver does similar low-key stuff with the youth group, taking the kids fishing on the South Platte so they actually open up. Wonder if the Danish ambassador asked about the same kind of hands-on work the Serbs are doing with young people over there.

Nicolae Constantinescu

Yes, that's exactly what caught my attention too – that he talked about the daily life of the parishioners, not just history. I think such discussions help a little, at least they open doors. What do you think, do you think these diplomats are really listening or is it more protocol?

Mihai Nistor

Yes, Daniela, you're right about the villages around Sarajevo - that's where you can see most clearly how our priests carry wood and aid by car to the parish in winter. Our priest from Cluj does the same with the old people from the hills. That Dane didn't mention anything about welfare in the news, but maybe he asked off-the-record. Do you think it would help if the Metropolis organized specific visits to small parishes?

Thomas Baker

Yeah, those quiet visits do seem to land better than the big showy ones. The bit about the Danish ambassador right after makes me wonder if they got onto practical stuff like keeping the old church buildings standing or helping families with jobs around there. Our lot here in London sometimes chats with the local council about similar day-to-day things when they drop by the hall after fishing club.