СРПСКАТА ДИПЛОМАТИЈА И СЛУЧАЈОТ СО ЦРКВАТА „СВ. НИКОЛА“ ВО КУМАНОВО ОД 1898 ГОДИНА
SERBIA DIPLOMACY AND THE CASE WITH THE CHURCH “ST. NIKOLA ”IN KUMANOVO SINCE 1898

Summary/Abstract: According to the Imperial Firman of mid-19th century, „St.Nikola“ church in Kumanovo belonged to the Patriarchate. Such situation remained until establishment of the Exarchate when first problems related to the right to use the Church started. Intolerance between the Patriarchate worshippers on the one side and Exarchate worshippers on the other side increased with each year elapsed. Patriarchate and Exarchate worshippers in line with the order issued by Ottoman authorities maintained the worships in the Church by defined order, i.e. (1:1). However, by the beginning of 1898 intolerance between both sides reached boiling point. Conflicts and huge unrests were expected in the town at any time. Patriarchate worshippers, who had to obey the new decision of the authorities related to worships in the Church under a new defined order (2:1) were dissatisfied. Exarchate worshippers, who were in majority, obtained double right to use the church compared to the Patriarchate worshippers in Kumanovo. This resulted in deterioration of the relationship between the Governments of the Kingdom of Serbia and Principality of Bulgaria. Diplomats of both countries were also engaged. Bulgarian diplomacy had an advantage since its ecclesiastical organization was recognized within the Ottoman Empire. Serbian diplomacy relying on experienced diplomats in Belgrade and Constantinople failed to give up the right to „St. Nikola“ Church. Behind this mutual diplomatic struggle for the ownership right of a church in a small town in Ottoman Macedonia in fact the desire to realize the propaganda by two neighbouring countries was hidden. The citizens of Kumanovo were real victims, who had to choose the “best side” for them.

• Details
• Contents