BREAKING: Bishop Irinej Removes Fr. Dragoslav Kosic from St. Sava Cathedral Cleveland with Less Than 48 Hours Notice

October 28, 2025 - In a move that shocks no one familiar with Bishop Irinej's

autocratic style, three episcopal acts were issued today (E. No. 425, 426, 427) releasing V. Rev. Protopresbyter Dragoslav Kosic from St. Sava Cathedral in Cleveland, effective October 31, 2025 - giving the parish and priest less than 48 hours to prepare for this transition.

The Pattern Continues

This is the same bishop who:

• Rejected democratically elected board members at our cathedral

• Created massive tax liabilities through improper handling of Marcha Monastery property

• Authorized unauthorized timber harvesting on church property

• Ignored letters to the Holy Synod outlining these canonical violations

And now, he removes a beloved priest with 48 hours notice.

The Shuffle

The three acts reveal a disturbing game of musical chairs:

1. Fr. Dragoslav Kosic - Released from St. Sava Cathedral Cleveland (effective Oct 31)

2. Fr. Milan Pajic (Cleveland Deanery Dean) - Appointed Temporary Administrator of St. Sava Cathedral (Nov 1 - Nov 30)

3. Fr. Dragoslav Kosic - Appointed to St. Nicholas Johnstown (effective Dec 1)

Notice: Fr. Kosic gets 48 hours. The cathedral gets a "temporary" administrator for exactly one month. What happens December 1st?

This Is About Control, Not Church Needs

The documents cite "Article 21.1 of the Statue of the Eastern American Diocese" and claim these moves are "predicated on the general needs of the Church."

What needs?

• The need to punish priests who don't fall in line?

• The need to keep parishes off-balance and unable to organize?

• The need to demonstrate absolute power?

A Message to St. Sava Cathedral Cleveland Parishioners

You have canonical rights. You have a voice. The Statute of the Eastern American Diocese gives parishes the right to participate in decisions affecting their spiritual life.

Questions you should be asking:

1. Why was this decision made with no consultation with the parish?

2. What "general needs of the Church" require removing our priest with 48 hours notice?

3. Why is our cathedral being given only a "temporary" administrator for one month?

4. What is planned for December 1st?

5. Why does Bishop Irinej consistently circumvent proper process?

What Can Be Done?

Document Everything: Take photos of these acts. Save copies. Share them.

Demand Answers: Your Church-School Congregation Board should demand a meeting with Bishop Irinej to explain this decision.

Contact the Holy Synod: The Patriarchate in Belgrade needs to know how their bishop operates in America.

Stand Together: Individual voices are ignored. United parishes cannot be.

Attend the December 7th Assembly: Major developments are expected. Your presence matters.

The Broader Picture

This isn't just about Cleveland. This is about a bishop who has demonstrated repeatedly that he believes he answers to no one - not to parishes, not to elected boards, not to proper canonical process, and apparently not even to common courtesy.

St. Sava Cathedral Cleveland deserves better. Fr. Dragoslav Kosic deserves better. The faithful of the Eastern American Diocese deserve better.

We will not be silent.

"Hierarchs are not tyrants but servants of the Church. When they forget this, it is the duty of the faithful to remind them." - St. John Chrysostom