"INDISPUTABLE FACTS" OR INDISPUTABLE LIES?

A Point-By-Point Refutation of Bishop Irinej's December 3, 2025 Letter

The Bishop's letter to St. Sava Cathedral parishioners claimed to present "indisputable facts" justifying the removal of Fr. Dragoslav Kosić. Let us examine each claim against the actual evidence.

THE BISHOP'S LETTER: A MASTERCLASS IN DECEPTION

On December 3, 2025, Bishop Irinej issued an "Open Archpastoral Letter" to parishioners of St. Sava Cathedral, listing what he called "indisputable facts" to justify his actions. He claimed these facts demonstrated years of decline under Fr. Dragoslav's ministry.

There is only one problem: Every "fact" in his letter is either a complete fabrication, a deliberate distortion, or a problem the Bishop himself created.

Let us examine each claim systematically.

CLAIM #1: "More often than not, including major holidays such as Christmas, the St. Sava Cathedral is near empty…"

THE EVIDENCE:

These photographs show St. Sava Cathedral during regular Sunday liturgy under Fr. Dragoslav - not Christmas, not Easter, not a special feast day. Regular Sunday.

Look at the images:

• Every chair filled

• People standing in the back

• Multiple generations present - children, families, elderly

• Hundreds of faithful attending

On December 8, 2025, over 120 families stood outside in freezing cold and snow to support Fr. Dragoslav. Does a "near empty" cathedral generate that level of devotion?

THE REAL STORY:

Bishop had a co-conspirator send him "visually deceptive pictures" to create false evidence. At the March 8, 2025 meeting, Mrs. Olivera Petrović admitted she sent pictures to the Diocese "that were not posted" - deliberately misleading photos to make the cathedral appear empty. Fr. Dragoslav refuted this, explaining the church was full with many children performing. Bishop then ORDERED her to resend pictures "PER THE ORDER OF HIS GRACE, PICTURES TO BE POSTED" - actively soliciting propaganda photos.

VERDICT: Demonstrable lie, contradicted by photographic evidence and Bishop's own solicitation of fake photos.

CLAIM #2: "By contrast, the neighboring Serbian and other Orthodox parishes are filled with faithful, who have left the Cathedral…"

THE REAL STORY:

The "neighboring parish" Bishop references is Lorain - the base of operations for the conspiracy to remove Fr. Dragoslav.

Who "left" St. Sava for Lorain?

• Milan & Mira Damljanović (Lorain conspirators)

• Stanka Nikolić and her kumovi clan

• Other plotters documented in Facebook messages planning Fr. Dragoslav's removal

These were not parishioners who "left because dissatisfied" - these were conspirators who went to Lorain, plotted with Monk Nektarije, told Bishop lies about St. Sava being "empty" and "failing," then stopped attending St. Sava to CREATE the very "exodus" they claimed was happening.

Stefan Nikolić's November 2, 2025 Facebook message: "Church will get new priest! Under Dragoslav it was doing terrible. A lot of ppl left."

They manufactured the problem, then cited it as evidence.

CIRCULAR CONSPIRACY:

1. Conspirators go to Lorain

2. Plot with Monk Nektarije to remove Fr. Dragoslav

3. Tell Bishop "cathedral is empty, people are leaving"

4. Stop attending St. Sava themselves

5. Bishop points to their absence as "proof" of Fr. Dragoslav's failure

It's like arsonists setting a fire, then pointing at the flames as evidence the building has a "fire problem."

VERDICT: Deliberate fabrication. The people who "left" were the conspirators themselves, creating false evidence.

CLAIM #3: "Faithful in mixed marriages have left as they felt unwelcome…"

THE EVIDENCE:

Mixed marriage couples SUPPORTING Fr. Dragoslav and standing outside in cold:

• S.P. and M.P. - Attended every Sunday liturgy; S.P. now unable to stand outside due to multiple sclerosis, but they remain supporters

• M.V. and H.V. - Support O. Dragoslav and our parishioners outside in person and in prayer

• J.S. and P.S. - Outside with 120+ families; Board Financial Secretary Josh Savage gave testimony about his wife Patricia at the March 8, 2025 meeting: "The only reason my wife, who is Roman Catholic, is considering becoming Orthodox is this man here" - pointing to Fr. Dragoslav

• N.Č. and A.Č. - With us every Sunday; A.Č. converted to Orthodoxy due to Fr. Dragoslav and how he introduced her to the Orthodox faith

• N.N. and K.N. - Outside with 120+ families

Many other mixed marriage couples actively supporting Fr. Dragoslav, willing to give statements if needed.

THE QUESTION:

If P.S. felt so "unwelcome" in her mixed marriage, why is she considering converting to Orthodoxy because of Fr. Dragoslav? People don't convert to a faith where they feel unwelcome.

If A.Č. felt "unwelcome," why did she actually convert?

If these couples felt "unwelcome," why are they standing in freezing temperatures and snow to defend their priest?

VERDICT: Complete fabrication. Bishop provides zero evidence because none exists. Multiple mixed marriage couples prove the opposite - including one who converted and another considering conversion specifically because of Fr. Dragoslav's welcoming ministry.

CLAIM #4: "A prominent former past president of CSS Sveta Petka, American Serbian Women's Club, Principal of the Church School, Church board member and Njegosh Choir festal sponsor, requested to be buried by another Orthodox priest…"

THE DEVASTATING REFUTATION:

This claim refers to Mary Lou, whose daughter Michele L. Kuhar wrote a letter directly to Bishop correcting his lie.

From Michele's letter:

"It has come to my attention that a letter was sent to the parishioners of St. Sava Cathedral concerning the pastoral situation there. It listed some 'indisputable facts,' one of which I believe refers to the funeral of my mother+. I am sorry to say the information your received about her situation is incorrect."

THE FACTS:

• Michele left the Serbian Orthodox Church in 1990 and attended OCA churches

• Mary Lou continued at St. Sava until unable to drive

• Mary Lou then attended St. Innocent (OCA) with her daughter

• Mary Lou became a voting member of St. Innocent (different parish!)

• "Neither Mary Lou nor I had any contact with the clergy there for over 10 years"

• When Michele requested funeral at Monastery Marcha, she wanted "OUR PARISH PRIEST" (from St. Innocent) to perform it

• "Not a priest that she had never been introduced to" (meaning Fr. Dragoslav)

Mary Lou had LEFT St. Sava 10+ years earlier and never even met Fr. Dragoslav. She wanted her own parish priest from the church she'd been attending.

THE DISTORTION:

Bishop twisted this into: "Longtime parishioner rejected Fr. Dragoslav at her death"

Reality: "Woman who left parish 10+ years ago, became member of different church, requested her own priest from that church"

This has NOTHING to do with Fr. Dragoslav. She never knew him.

Michele concludes: "Mom loved her Serbian heritage but would not want to be a part of the strife that currently exists at St. Sava."

Translation: Don't use my dead mother as a weapon in your vendetta.

VERDICT: Exposed as a lie by the deceased woman's own daughter. Bishop used someone who left the parish a decade ago and never met Fr. Dragoslav as "evidence" against him.

CLAIM #5: "The church school has been rendered dysfunctional to the point of non-existence…"

THE EVIDENCE:

Serbian Language School:

• 60 students enrolled

• 3 classes

• 4 teachers

• So strong that other parishes send their children to St. Sava's program!

• Classes meet 2 hours on Friday ( it used be three hours on Sunday), 2 hours on Sunday

• Parents pay for these classes expecting professional instruction

Sunday School:

• 4 classes

• 4 teachers

• High enrollment (regular attendance varies, normal for Sunday schools)

TOTAL: 8 teachers, 7+ classes, 60+ students - this is "dysfunctional to the point of non-existence"?!

THE REAL "DYSFUNCTION" - MARCH 8, 2025 MEETING REVEALS THE TRUTH:

From the meeting minutes:

Bishop asked why Mira Damljanović wasn't allowed to teach Serbian school students songs.

The answer exposed everything:

Mrs. Marković explained that children and parents were worried because children were CRYING - they were told to "just open their mouths and it would look the same in pictures."

Mira Damljanović was staging a FAKE PERFORMANCE for Diocese propaganda photos!

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED:

One Friday during paid class time, Mira Damljanović showed up unannounced and demanded teachers hand over the children for "choir practice."

She had:

• No permission from the priest

• No permission from the teachers

• No permission from the parents

• Never held choir practice on Friday before

Parents pay for these Friday language classes. Teachers refused to disrupt paid instruction for an unscheduled, unauthorized "practice" that was actually a propaganda photo opportunity.

Fr. Dragoslav explained at the March 8 meeting:

• Kids and parents weren't aware of Mira wanting to "teach"

• Parents pay for language classes - they expect real instruction, not staged photo ops

• Mira never asked anyone's permission

Parents intervened to protect their children from manipulation.

THE VERDICT:

The only "dysfunction" was when Mira Damljanović tried to use crying children as propaganda props during paid class time - and teachers and parents stopped her.

Church school is thriving with 60+ students and 8 teachers. The "dysfunction" was Bishop's conspirator trying to stage fake propaganda with crying children.

CLAIM #6: "The renown Njegosh Church Choir being dejected has left the Cathedral…"

THE REAL STORY:

Njegosh Choir directors: Milan & Mira Damljanović (yes, the same conspirators from Lorain)

TIMELINE:

September 2024: School year starts, Damljanovići held only 2 practices

Fall 2024: Practices became sporadic (unreliable)

Late November/Early December 2024: FAKE PERFORMANCE INCIDENT - Mira told crying children to "just open mouths" for propaganda photos (no permission from priest, teachers, or parents)

December 2024: Damljanovići stopped practices completely

March 8, 2025: Meeting where incident was exposed

THE TRUTH:

They didn't leave "dejected" - they left after being caught manipulating children for Diocese propaganda.

And yet: They claim they're "afraid" to come to St. Sava - but appear whenever they're PAID to sing!

For years, the Damljanovići have been paid to perform at weddings. For example, they were paid $250 to sing at a wedding on July 26, 2025. Their "fear" of attending St. Sava mysteriously vanishes when money is involved.

THE VERDICT:

Choir directors are Lorain conspirators who stopped coming after being caught staging fake performances with crying children. They show up when paid, proving their "fear" is fabricated. Bishop calls this "dejected choir leaving" when it's actually conspirators boycotting after getting caught.

CLAIM #7: "The director of the Junior Choir was dismissed, and the Junior Choir is no more…"

THE REAL STORY:

Junior Choir director: Milan Damljanović (yes, again - the Lorain conspirator)

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED:

• Junior Choir functioned before COVID (pre-2020)

• Stopped during COVID pandemic (like everything else)

• Never resumed after COVID

WHY IT NEVER RESUMED:

The program died not because anyone was "dismissed" but because there is no interest among the children, then it wasn't restarted after COVID.

There was no "dismissal." The program stopped during COVID pandemic and wasn't restarted.

VERDICT: Complete reversal of truth. Bishop's own conspirator destroyed Junior Choir, COVID stopped it permanently, then Bishop blames Fr. Dragoslav for damage Milan caused.

CLAIM #8: "Cantors have been consistently ignored and demeaned, leaving the Cathedral…"

THE RESPONSE:

Bishop provides no names, no dates, no evidence. This is an unsubstantiated accusation.

Like his other claims, this follows the pattern:

• Make dramatic accusation

• Provide zero evidence

• Hope nobody asks for proof

The burden of proof is on the accuser. Show us the names. Show us the documentation. Or retract the lie.

VERDICT: Unsubstantiated claim with no evidence provided. Pattern consistent with Bishop's other fabrications.

CLAIM #9: "Persons were elected to the Executive Board, who are not church members…"

THE DEVASTATING IRONY:

Bishop is referring to Nina Marković - who was unanimously elected Board President by parishioners on December 8, 2024.

THE EVIDENCE OF NINA'S LEGITIMATE MEMBERSHIP:

Nina's Membership Status: ✅ Paid $600 membership dues (May 26, 2024 - receipt provided) ✅ 2024 Board approved her reinstatement (May 14, 2024 meeting minutes) ✅ Attends liturgy every Sunday, receives communion regularly ✅ No objections filed during required 8-day appeal window (per Article 40, Paragraph 2 of Uniform Rules)

FROM MARCH 8, 2025 MEETING:

Bishop asked: "Is she a member?" Mrs. Marković: "Yes" - explained the process, provided documentation

Bishop asked: "Does Nina come to church regularly?" Mrs. Marković: "Yes, every Sunday."

Financial Secretary Josh Savage confirmed: Board approved, payment received, receipt written, membership book signed

THE "OBJECTIONS":

• Came from Dragan Knežević and Katarina Derekh (conspirators)

• Sent anonymous letter AFTER New Year - well outside 8-day appeal window

• Fabricated claims that Nina wasn't a member

• Katarina made FALSE accusations about "anti-hierarchical actions" at January 14, 2025 meeting

• All attendees of that meeting told Bishop Katarina's claims were "completely and unequivocally false"

• Josh Savage refused to sign his name to their lies and provided emails exposing the conspiracy

Fr. Dragoslav sent Act 28 refuting all accusations - Bishop ignored it.

Bishop rejected Nina's legitimate election.

THEN BISHOP INSTALLED AN ILLEGAL BOARD:

December 2-3, 2025, Bishop installed a board that ACTUALLY violates membership and canonical rules:

Kumovi network violations:

• Stanka Nikolić family and kumovi relationships

• Violates Article 32 (kumovi and family members cannot serve together)

• Violates Article 45 (kumovi exemption only for "small parishes" - St. Sava: 120+ families, $1.8M assets, NOT small!)

NON-MEMBERS on Bishop's current board:

• Bob Ćosić (1st Vice President) - Not a member of the parish, no regular attendance

• Svetlana Ikić (Financial Secretary) - Not a member of the parish, no regular attendance

• Svetlana Ikić moves from parish to parish attempting to find one that will bend to her whims

• Even if they claim they applied this year, there was no board meeting to approve them (required by bylaws)

THE PROJECTION:

Bishop blocked: Legitimate elected member with receipts, board approval, attending every Sunday, unanimously elected by parishioners

Bishop installed:

• Illegal kumovi network violating Articles 32 & 45 of November 20, 2025 Regulations

• Actual non-members (Bob Ćosić, Svetlana Ikić) placed in leadership positions without proper membership approval

Bishop is accusing Fr. Dragoslav of the exact thing Bishop himself did - but worse!

VERDICT: Pure projection. Bishop blocked a legitimate elected member while installing an illegal board with actual non-members that violates church law. Nina had receipts and board approval; Bishop's appointees have neither.

CLAIM #10: "Shouting down the Dean of the Cleveland Deanery in the church, following the celebration of a Divine Liturgy, as he attempted to administer the Oath of Office to the newly elected Executive Board, etc."

THE CONTEXT BISHOP OMITS:

What actually happened:

The Dean attempted to administer the Oath of Office to a board that included Katarina Derekh - who had:

• Resigned from her elected position

• Been caught in lies and falsification (fabricating accusations against Nina Marković)

• Her false claims exposed at the March 8, 2025 meeting when all attendees confirmed she lied about the January 14 meeting

Many board members refused to take the oath because they objected to serving alongside someone who had resigned and been caught fabricating accusations.

Parishioners raised their voices in objection - not to "shout down" the Dean, but to object to someone who had resigned being improperly reinstated, and to object to a board composition that violated canonical rules.

THE "REWARD" FOR LYING:

Bishop's response to Katarina Derekh's lies and resignation?

He placed BOTH Katarina Derekh AND her husband Maryan Derekh on his December 2-3, 2025 illegal board.

This means:

• Resign in disgrace hours before making up the lies? → REWARDED with board position

• Fabricate accusations exposed as false? → REWARDED with board position

• Husband also needs position? → REWARDED - both on same board, violating Article 32 (family members/kumovi cannot serve together)

THE REAL QUESTION:

Why was Katarina Derekh, who had resigned and been caught lying, being sworn in?

Why were parishioners' legitimate objections characterized as "shouting down" rather than rightful protest against improper procedure?

And why did Bishop reward the Derekhs' dishonesty by placing both husband and wife on his illegal board in violation of Article 32?

VERDICT: Parishioners objected to improper reinstatement of someone who had resigned and been caught in lies. Bishop frames legitimate objection as disorder - then rewards the liars by placing both on his illegal board, violating Article 32.

CLAIM #11: "At present, the protesters are intent on stopping the celebration of the Divine Liturgy."

THE TRUTH:

The 120+ families are standing OUTSIDE the Cathedral.

They are:

• Not blocking entrances

• Not preventing anyone from entering

• Not stopping liturgy

• Peacefully protecting cathedral from the illegal takeover

They are OUTSIDE because they feel their rights as parishioners are being violated. Fr. Dragoslav was sent to another parish as retaliation against parishioners for sending appeals to the Holy Synod - appeals that Bishop ignored. When parishioners exercised their canonical right to appeal to higher church authority, Bishop responded by removing their priest and installing an illegal kumovi network in violation of the November 20, 2025 Regulations.

THE ABSURDITY:

If they wanted to "stop the Divine Liturgy," why are they standing in freezing cold OUTSIDE the building?

The kumovi network inside has repeatedly called police on the peaceful parishioners outside. Police arrive, observe that the parishioners are doing nothing wrong - not blocking anyone, not causing disturbance - and leave. The parishioners outside wonder why police is being called when they're doing nothing illegal.

This claim is absurd on its face.

Someone "intent on stopping" liturgy would block doors, prevent entry, disrupt the service. The 120+ families are outside in cold and snow, blocking nothing, preventing nothing, stopping nothing.

They're peacefully witnessing to the truth.

VERDICT: Completely false. Parishioners are outside, not blocking anyone, not stopping anything. Repeated false police calls prove there is no actual disruption - just peaceful meeting.

Of 11 claims, ALL 11 are demonstrably false or misleading.

THE PATTERN:

This is not a letter explaining difficult decisions. This is a propaganda document designed to justify an illegal takeover by systematically lying about a devoted priest and thriving parish.

Every problem Bishop cites was either:

• Completely fabricated (empty cathedral, mixed marriages, cantors)

• Created by his own conspirators (choir incidents, church school staged photos, fake "exodus")

• A problem he himself caused (illegal board installation with actual non-members)

• Deliberately distorted (Mary Lou case, shouting incident)

The Holy Synod must see through these lies and enforce their own November 20, 2025 Regulations that Bishop violated just 15 days after they became law.