PROTECTED BY LAW: The Benefits They Cannot Take - Why Fr. Dragoslav's Salary and Housing Are Guaranteed

THE FACTS

On Friday, December 5, 2025, while Father Dragoslav Kosić lay bedridden with illness—protected by Federal FMLA since October 30—unauthorized individuals entered his home, changed the locks, and attempted to force his family onto the street.

His wife, Protinica, was hospitalized from the trauma.

The perpetrators claim they have authority to terminate his salary, seize his housing, and strip all benefits.

They lie!

NOVEMBER 20, 2025: THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED

On November 20, 2025, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church adopted comprehensive new Regulations for the Eastern American Diocese.

Decision No. 1141/protocol 847.

Published on the official Patriarchate website: spc.rs.

Article 73 states these Regulations entered into force immediately upon adoption.

Every action taken after November 20, 2025 must comply with these Regulations.

No exceptions. No grace period. No excuses.

The December 5 home invasion occurred 15 days after these Regulations became law.

THE "SECRET BOOK" THAT NO LONGER EXISTS

For years, Bishop Irinej wielded what some called his "secret book"—diocesan regulations to threaten parishioners and priests.

"According to Eastern Diocese canon law..." he would say.

Article 73 killed that book on November 20, 2025.

Here's what it says:

"Upon the entry into force of this Regulation in the area of canonical jurisdiction of the Eastern American Diocese of the SPC, the Uniform Rules and Regulations of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada from 1982 with amendments from 1994 and 2006 CEASE TO BE VALID."

Translation: Whatever Bishop threatened you with before November 20? Dead. Gone. Cancelled. No longer law.

Only one law matters now: The Regulations of November 20, 2025.

And those Regulations—adopted by the Holy Synod itself—provide crystal clear protections for priests like Father Dragoslav and parishioners of St. Sava Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio.

WHY THE HOLY SYNOD CREATED THESE REGULATIONS

Let's be honest about what happened here.

The Holy Synod didn't create comprehensive new Regulations on a whim. They created them because abuses were occurring. The Holy Synod saw the pattern. And they acted.

On November 20, 2025, they gave every parish, every priest, and every parishioner clear, written protections.

Thank you, Holy Synod, for these Regulations.

Now comes the hard part: Enforcing them.

Because 15 days after these Regulations became law, Bishop Irinej violated them. Systematically. Deliberately. Completely.

THE TIMELINE OF VIOLATIONS

November 20, 2025: Holy Synod adopts Regulations (effective immediately)

December 2-3, 2025: Bishop Irinej issues written exemption allowing kumovi network at St. Sava Cathedral—violating Article 45, which permits exemptions ONLY for "parishes with small number of parishioners." St. Sava Cathedral: 120+ families, $1.8 million in assets. Not small.

December 5, 2025: Home invasion. Lock changes. Protinica hospitalized. Attempted eviction of priest on protected FMLA leave.

THE REGULATIONS BISHOP VIOLATED

Let's examine exactly what the law says—and what was violated on December 5.

We focus on three specific protections that are absolute, undeniable, and impossible to misinterpret.

ARTICLE 25: SIX MONTHS FULL SALARY AND HOUSING ON SICK LEAVE

The Regulation states:

"For the first six months of sick leave, the parish priest will receive all benefits from the parish or church community."

"The replacement for the parish priest during sick leave is determined by the competent diocesan Bishop."

"The replacement of the parish priest during sick leave is paid by the church community."

What this means:

Father Dragoslav began FMLA medical leave on October 30, 2025.

Under Article 25, he is entitled to:

• Full salary for six months (until January 30, 2026 – his sick leave is 3 months)

• All benefits (housing, utilities, health insurance, pension contributions, etc.)

• Replacement priest paid by parish—NOT deducted from his salary

This is NOT negotiable. This is NOT subject to Bishop's discretion.

Article 25 guarantees six months of full benefits during sick leave. Period.

Any attempt to reduce his salary, terminate his housing, or strip his benefits before January 30, 2026 is a direct violation of Article 25.

The December 5 home invasion—occurring while Father Dragoslav was in his second month of protected sick leave—violated this protection completely.

ARTICLE 23: HOUSING IS A GUARANTEED CONTRACTUAL BENEFIT

The Regulation states:

"Parish priest benefits include: Decent furnished apartment with costs of heating, lighting, water and utilities or appropriate monetary compensation for rented apartment with stated costs."

Housing is not a gift. Housing is not conditional on Bishop's favor. Housing is not subject to trustee votes or "staratelj" whims. Housing is a guaranteed contractual benefit—listed explicitly in Article 23 as part of priest compensation.

Just like salary. Just like health insurance. Just like pension.

You cannot terminate a priest's housing without proper process any more than you can stop paying his salary without notice.

The December 5 lock changes—forcing a family out of their home while the priest lay bedridden—violated Article 23.

Changing locks without court order violated Ohio Revised Code §5321.04. Retaliating against an employee on FMLA leave violated Federal law.

Three separate violations. Three separate legal systems. One criminal act.

ARTICLE 26: EVEN DEATH PROVIDES MORE PROTECTION

The Regulation states:

"The church community cannot cancel the apartment of the deceased priest's family for at least 3 months from the date of his death."

Let that sink in. When a priest dies, his family cannot be evicted for three months. This is the minimum protection the Holy Synod deemed appropriate for a deceased priest's family. So what protection does a LIVING priest deserve? What protection does a living priest on protected medical leave deserve? What protection does a living priest with six months guaranteed benefits deserve? Far more than three months.

The December 5 eviction attempt violated even the protections given to the deceased.

If a dead priest's family gets three months, a living priest on FMLA gets six months minimum under Article 25—plus continued housing under Article 23, plus Federal FMLA protection, plus Ohio eviction law protection.

The December 5 perpetrators didn't just violate one law. They violated four separate legal frameworks simultaneously.

WHAT THE HOLY SYNOD SHOULD DO NOW

The Holy Synod created these Regulations for a reason. To prevent exactly what happened on December 5. To protect priests from financial retaliation. To prevent illegal evictions disguised as church governance. To establish clear rules that even Bishop Irinej must follow.

The Regulations are clear. The violations are undeniable. Now comes enforcement.

When the Holy Synod meets in Belgrade, this is what must happen:

1. Immediate Restoration of Father Dragoslav's Benefits

Article 25 guarantees full salary and housing until January 30, 2026.

Not "if the Bishop permits."

Not "if financial circumstances allow."

Until January 30, 2026. Guaranteed. No exceptions.

Father Dragoslav must be:

• Restored to his residence immediately

• Paid all back salary from December 5 forward

• Provided all benefits (utilities, insurance, pension)

• Protected from further retaliation

This is not a request. This is what Article 25 requires.

2. Enforcement of Article 73

Bishop Irinej's "secret book" died on November 20, 2025. Any threats made using old "secret book" rules are void. Any actions taken citing obsolete regulations are invalid.

Only the November 20, 2025 Regulations are law.

The Holy Synod must make clear: Bishops are not above the law they created.

3. Investigation of December 5 Criminal Acts

The home invasion was not church discipline. It was criminal trespass under Ohio law. It was FMLA retaliation under Federal law. It was violation of Articles 23, 25, and 26 under Church law. Parma Police Department has body camera footage. Security camera evidence exists (prior to destruction by perpetrators). Video of Katarina Derekh's admission exists: "The diocese made the decision."

The Holy Synod must ensure:

• Criminal investigation proceeds

• Perpetrators face consequences for violations

  
  

4. Accountability for Bishop's Exemption

On December 2-3, 2025—just days after the Regulations became law—Bishop Irinej issued written exemption for the kumovi network at St. Sava Cathedral.

Article 45 permits exemptions ONLY for "parishes with small number of parishioners."

St. Sava Cathedral:

• 120+ families

• $1.8 million in assets

• Cathedral church (not mission parish)

This is not a "small parish." This exemption violated the very Regulations the Holy Synod had just adopted.

The Holy Synod must clarify:

• What constitutes a "small parish"

• Whether Cathedral churches qualify for exemptions

• Whether Bishop's December 2-3 exemption was valid

If the exemption was invalid, every action taken by the illegally-appointed board is void.

Including the December 5 home invasion.

THE QUESTION FOR THE HOLY SYNOD

We understand the position the Holy Synod faces. You created clear Regulations on November 20. Fifteen days later, Bishop Irinej violated them.

Now you must decide:

Are these Regulations real law—or are they suggestions? Are bishops bound by them—or are they merely guidelines for priests and parishes?

When a bishop violates the rules you created, will there be consequences—or will the violations be ignored?

The world is watching.

120+ families standing in snow are watching.

Priests throughout the diaspora—wondering if their benefits are secure—are watching.

Parishioners in every diocese—questioning whether their voices matter—are watching.

Your Regulations are beautiful on paper. Now enforce them.

Or will November 20, 2025 be remembered as the day the Holy Synod wrote beautiful words that meant nothing?

The world watches.

The faithful wait.

Special Correspondent

APPENDIX: RELEVANT REGULATIONS

Article 23 (Benefits): "Parish priest benefits include: Decent furnished apartment with costs of heating, lighting, water and utilities or appropriate monetary compensation for rented apartment with stated costs."

Article 25 (Sick Leave): "For the first six months of sick leave, the parish priest will receive all benefits from the parish or church community. The replacement for the parish priest during sick leave is determined by the competent diocesan Bishop. The replacement of the parish priest during sick leave is paid by the church community."

Article 26 (Death Protection): "The church community cannot cancel the apartment of the deceased priest's family for at least 3 months from the date of his death."

Article 45 (Board Member Requirements - Exemption Clause): "Members of the Church Community Board cannot be related by blood to the fourth degree inclusive, or by marriage and baptism to the second degree inclusive, nor can they be spouses. An exception to this rule, with written permission from the competent diocesan Bishop, may exist in parishes, missionary parishes and church communities with a small number of parishioners."

Article 73 (Effective Date & Supersession): "This Regulation was adopted by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the SPC by its decision No. 1141/protocol 847 of November 20, 2025 and entered into force on the date of adoption. Upon the entry into force of this Regulation in the area of canonical jurisdiction of the Eastern American Diocese of the SPC, the Uniform Rules and Regulations of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada from 1982 with amendments from 1994 and 2006 cease to be valid."

EVIDENCE AVAILABLE:

Parma Police Department body camera footage (December 5, 2025)

Security camera footage (prior to destruction)

Video: Katarina Derekh admission ("The diocese made the decision")

Written exemption from Bishop Irinej (December 2-3, 2025)

FMLA documentation (leave began October 30, 2025)

Medical records (Protinica hospitalization December 5, 2025)

Regulations published on spc.rs (November 20, 2025)

The evidence is overwhelming.

The violations are undeniable.

The law is clear.

Now enforce it.