Eparchy of Debar and Kičevo
Eparchy of Debar and Kičevo Епархија дебарско-кичевска | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Territory | Western region of the North Macedonia |
| Headquarters | Debar North Macedonia |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Eastern Orthodox |
| Sui iuris church | Serbian Orthodox Church – autonomous Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric |
| Established | 2003 |
| Dissolved | 2023 |
| Language | Church Slavonic |
| Leadership | |
| Bishop | administrator Joakim Jovčevski (2005–2023) |
| Website | |
| Bishopric of Debar and Kičevo | |
Eparchy of Debar and Kičevo (Епархија дебарско-кичевска) was an Eastern Orthodox eparchy (diocese) of the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric, an autonomous and canonical branch of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North Macedonia. Its historical seat is in the city of Debar. During its existence, the eparchy was under administration of Bishop Joakim Jovčevski of Polog and Kumanovo.
Eparchy of Debar and Kičevo existed previously (before 1920) as part of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. After its territory was acquired by the Serbian Orthodox Church in 1920, the eparchy was abolished. In 1968, Diocese of Debar and Kičevo was re-established as part of the then-unrecognized Macedonian Orthodox Church. This move was not recognized by the Orthodox community. Serbian Church re-established the Eparchy of Debar and Kičevo in 2005 as part of the newly formed Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric.
In 2022, the dispute between the Serbian and Macedonian churches was resolved. The whole Ohrid Archbishopric was abolished in 2023 and merged in the Macedonian Orthodox Church.