Patriarch Porfirije and Metropolitan Joanikije II Dropped Off by Helicopter for the Enthronement Ceremony

Pic – Vecernje novosti YouTube

OCP News Service – 6/9/21

Cetinje-Montenegro: Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia and Metropolitan Joanikije II of Montenegro were dropped off by helicopter on the loan of the historic Cetinje and were rushed into the building by security officers for the enthronement ceremony of the latter.

Pic – http://www.spc.rs/

The enthronement ceremony of Bishops Joanikije II as the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral took place inside the monastery on the 5th of September 2021 amid protests staged by the radical nationalists.

The protesters are backed by President of the nation Milo Djukanovic of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS). However, Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic who remains close to the Serbian Church accused Djukanovic of stirring political and religious tension.

Montenegrins Clash With Police Ahead of Head of the Inauguration of the Head of Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral

The protesters accuse that Belgrade is reluctant to recognise Montenegro as a free state. They also argued that all religious institutions built in the country belong to Montenegrins.

Montenegro separated from Serbia in 2006. Pro-nationalists advocate for a separate Orthodox Church independent of the Serbian Church. However, the Serbian Church remains one of the largest religious institutions in the country. Around 30 per cent of the population identify themselves as Serbs. Since 1993, an unrecognised Montenegrin Orthodox Church exists side by side with the Serbian Church in the country.

Source:
OCP News Service