Serbian Orthodox Church

Metropolitan Amfilohije buried in the Cathedral church in Podgorica

Earthly remains of Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral were buried in the crypt of the Cathedral church of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica, on November 1, 2020.

The Holy Hierarchal Liturgy with the funeral rite was celebrated by His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, with concelebration of Their Eminences Metropolitans Anthony of Borispol and Brovar (Ukrainian Orthodox Church), Andon of Elbasan (Albanian Orthodox Church) and Porfirije of Zagreb-Ljubljana; Their Graces Bishops: Joanikije of Budimlye-Niksic and Administrator of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral; Irinej of Backa, Jovan of Sumadija, Atanasije of Milesevo, Grigorije of Dusseldorf and Germany, Joakim of Polog-Kumanovo, Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, David of Krusevac, Jovan of Slavonia, Sergije of Bihac-Petrovac, Ilarion of Timok, Arsenije of Nis, Dimitrije of Zaholm-Herzegovina, Stefan of Remesiana, Metodije of Dioclea and Bishop Emeritus Atanasije of Zaholm-Herzegovina,  numerous priests and hieromonks of the Serbian Orthodox Church and some other local Orthodox Churches, in a  prayerful participation of thousands of the faithful.

Metropolitan Amfilohije buried in the Cathedral church of Podgorica (PHOTO)

Podgorica citizens welcomed their Metropolitan on knees

The earthly remains of Metropolitan Amfilohije were prayerfully met in the Cathedral of Christ's Resurrection in Podgorica,  capital of Montenegro, as they had been previously sent from the Cetinje Monastery, where the Holy Liturgy had been celebrated  for the repose of the soul of the Archbishop of blessed memory on 31 of October 2020.

The Divine Liturgy was officiated by Their Graces Bishops: Joanikije of Budimlye-Niksic and administrator of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro-Coastlands, Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, Dimitrije of Zaholm-Herzegovina, vicar Bishop Methodius of Diocletia and retired Bishop of Zaholm-Herzegovina Atanasije.Although the procession with Metropolitan's coffin left Cetinje at 1 pm, it arrived to the Podgorica church of the Resurrection of Christ  at around 2:30 pm because people had been waiting on their knees for their pastor and spiritual father all the way, once again connecting the Holy Throne of Cetinje metropolitans with the Podgorica shrine where the Metropolitan may find his eternal rest.The coffin with the Metropolitan's earthly remains was carried through thousands of people, who crowded the church-yard, and brought to the Church of Christ's Resurrection, where the faithful may say farewell to their archpastor who had been on the throne of St. Peter of Cetinje for 30 years.

The Bishop of Budimlye-Niksic and administrator of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro-Coastlands Joanikije said today that the arrival of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Aleksandar Vucic to attend the funeral of Metropolitan Amfilohije was a good impulse to start fostering closer relations between Serbia and Montenegro. The Bishop also announced arrival of Mr. Milorad Dodik, Serbian member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Aware of the overall health situation, but also of the great respect that the newly appointed Metropolitan enjoyed, we once again call upon all the participants in the funeral rites to observe all prescribed health measures, wear masks and keep  distance among themselves," was announced by the Metropolitanate of Montenegro-Littoral.

Memorial prayer rite for Metropolitan Amfilohije in the Cetinje Monastery

After his earthly remains had been transferred from the Clinical Centre of Montenegro to the Cetinje Monastery, a memorial service was held for the repose of soul of Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral. Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje-Niksic with  clergy performed the prayer rite.

Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral reposed in the Lord

Archbishop of Cetinje, Metropolitan of Montenegro and  Exarch of the Holy Throne of Pec, Amfilohije, after having received the Holy Sacrament of Communion, reposed in the Lord in the Clinical Hospital Center of Montenegro, on Friday, October 30, 2020, at 8.20 am, on the eve of the feast of St. Peter of Cetinje.

The public will be soon informed about all other details regarding the funeral of the Most Reverend Metropolitan. Eternal memory and the Kingdom of Heaven!

Biography of Metropolitan Amfilohije (Radovic)

Amfilohije was born Risto Radović (Ристо Радовић) in Bare Radovića in Lower Morača, Kingdom of Yugoslavia (now Montenegro).

He is a descendant of vojvoda Mina Radović who participated in the unification of the Morača region with the Principality of Montenegro in 1820. He studied at St. Sava Seminary and graduated from the Faculty of Theology in Belgrade in 1962. During his time as a seminarian in the late 1950s, Amfilohije knew the great theologian Justin Popović, who infklubnced his thought a great deal. He also studied classical philosophy at the University of Belgrade.