Patriarchs John and Irinej arrive in Podgorica, Montenegro

The Patriarch of the Church of Antioch John and the Serbian Patriarch Irinej welcomed in the Cetinje monastery on 15 October 2018.

The two Primates venerated the relics of Saint Peter of Cetinje, a hand of Saint John the Baptist and a relic of the Holy Cross. Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Coastlands Amfilohije greeted the Patriarchs and several hierarchs accompanying them, many clergymen and monastics, professors and pupils of the Theological School of Saint Peter of Cetinje and the Christ-loving people.

His Eminence Amfilohiije awarded His Beatitude John with the Gold Image of Prince Peter II of Montenegro, and granted Him hierarchal insignia – an encolpion with the image of the Mother of God the Filerimossa and a Cross made in honor of the consecration of the Cathedral church of Saint John Vladimir in Bar. The same insignias were handed in to Metropolitans Basilios and Joseph.

From his side, the Patriarch of Antioch and All East granted to Metropolitan Amfilohije a bishop’s scepter that it will, as he remarked, remind him to pray for the suffering Church of Antioch.