Enthronement of Metropolitan Joanikije in Cetinje on September 5: Patriarch to arrive the day before

Photo: Printscreen/TV Prva

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije will enthrone the new metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Joanikije, in the Cetinje Monastery on September 5, states an invitation sent to guests, top state officials, ministers, leaders of ruling political parties, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the judiciary and prosecutor's office, writes Podgorica daily Pobjeda.

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"Holy Hierarchs' Liturgy will be served by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije in the Cetinje Monastery, who will then enthrone Metropolitan Joanikije," states the ivitation that Pobjeda has seen, and specifies that the liturgy will begin at 9 am.

After the enthronement, according to protocol, a ceremonial lunch will be held in the Bishop's Garden in front of the Cetinje Monastery, which means that the Serbian Orthodox Church is not concerned about protests by patriotic-Komitadji organizations and citizens who have been announcing gatherings in front of the monastery for days, writes Pobjeda.

Patriarch Porfirije will arrive in Montenegro the day before, on September 4, and will be welcomed in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica.

"The solemn reception of Patriarch Porfirije will be in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica. Doxology and large evening service will be held on September 4 at 6 p.m. After the evening service, a festive cocktail will be held in the crypt of the Temple," said the invitation.

At the session held on May 29, the Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church elected Joanikije as the metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral of the SPC.

Metropolitan Joanikije became the head of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral after the death of Metropolitan Amfilohije.

Joanikije was the administrator of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral before getting elected as its new head.

Due to the announced gathering of citizens, Montenegrin patriotic organizations and associations, but also the fact that a huge number of Cetinje residents are strongly opposed, the National Security Agency is considering ways to organize the ceremony.

The decision about the manner of organization, Pobjeda's sources claim, will be kept secret until the last moment.

(Telegraf.rs)