Metropolitan Amfilohije’s funeral to be held on Sunday, numerous reactions to his death arrive

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The Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Amfilohije passed away yesterday at the Clinical Hospital Center of Montenegro, where he has been receiving treatment since the beginning of October, when he tested positive for coronavirus. Although he tested negative to the virus more than ten days ago, Amfilohije suffered from long-term pneumonia. The Metropolitan’s remains were initially transferred to the Cetinje Monastery yesterday, where a liturgy was held this morning, after which his remains were transferred to the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica.

A large number of people arrived in Cetinje yesterday and today. In Podgorica, the doctors and medical staff of the Clinical Center escorted the Metropolitan’s remains. People are lighting candles in his memory throughout Montenegro and the region.

The Metropolitan’s remains were transferred to the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica, where the funeral service will be served on Sunday by Patriarch Irinej.

Reactions to Amfilohije’s death both from the region and the world started arriving yesterday. While many glorify Amfilohije’s life and work, there are also those who describe him as „monster“ and a “warmonger.”

Kiril: Amfilohije is still a torch, burning and glowing

Russian Patriarch Kiril expressed his condolences, noting that Amfilohije would remain „a torch, burning and glowing, as a gifted theologian and an inspired preacher, a fearless defender of the Holy Church of Christ before the tyrants of his age.“

The Russian Patriarch also reminded of the life of Metropolitan Amfilohije, „as well as the role he played in the fight for the preservation of holy sites in Montenegro.“

Irinej: A great figure is gone

„This is one of the saddest days for our Church. It is a great loss and great sorrow. A good man and a great theologian is gone. We did not expect that, we hoped that everything would end well. May God give him eternal bliss. We have been deprived of a great figure,“ Patriarch Irinej said in a statement for Nova.rs.

When hooligans set fire to our mosque Amfilohije stood in front of the unbridled mass

Muslim leader in Serbia Mustafa Jusufspahić expressed his condolences as well, while reminding Amifolohije’s role in preventing revenge attacks against mosques in Serbia, following march riots in Kosovo in 2004.

Condolences of Abazovic and Becic, Krivokapic – a day of mourning should be declared

The Montenegrin prime minister-designate, Zdravko Krivokapic called on the technical Government of Montenegro yesterday to declare a national day of mourning.

„Love alone creates eternity! May God grant him eternal peace, and all of us the strength to fight for ideals that are immortal“ – reads the reaction of the leader of the Civic Movement URA, Dritan Abazovic to the news of Metropolitan’s death.

„We hope and believe that his successor will not walk the thorny paths that the Metropolitan, with his people, walked with dignity and pastoral care,“ the President of the Parliament of Montenegro and the leader of Democratic Montenegro, Aleksa Becic said.

„I am glad that he lived to see the freedom of his Montenegro,“ political scientist and Montenegrin politician Vladimir Pavicevic tweeted.

Djukanovic: I will remember Amfilohije’s contribution to creating a positive atmosphere ahead of the referendum

The President of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic also expressed his condolences.
„The news of the death of His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral deeply affected me. As a dignitary of the Serbian Orthodox Church, he was a participant and witness of turbulent processes at the end of the last and the beginning of this century, both in Montenegro and in the former Yugoslavia,“ Djukanovic said.
He said that historians will appreciate the „overall actions“ of the Metropolitan in Montenegro.

„From our long cooperation, during which we exchanged views on important issues for the development of modern Montenegro, I will remember his contribution in creating a positive atmosphere ahead of the referendum in which our country restored independence peacefully and democratically,“ the Montenegrin president said in a statement.

In the last years of his life, the Metropolitan was a fierce critic of the Montenegrin President Milo Djukovic. In the public, he was perceived as a key figure in the DPS losing the elections this summer after 30 years long rule.

Vucic: Condolences to Irinej, I wish the news was not true

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic sent his condolences to the Serbian Patriarch Irinej.

„I wish the news was not true. I heard that he passed away at 8:20h. I still hope that the news is not true. If it is true, I express my condolences to the patriarch and the Serbian people,“ Vucic said.

Vucic also confirmed that he will be attending the funeral of the Metropolitan of Montenegro, and that he would travel to Podgorica today.

According to unconfirmed information, the Cetinje-based Metropolitanate sent an invitation to attend the funeral to President Vucic yesterday.

In recent years, the late Metropolitan Amfilohije also harshly criticized the Serb President, viewing him as directly responsible for „the betrayal of Kosovo.“

Atlantic Council: We will particularly remember Amfilohije’s contribution to preserving peace and stability

The Atlantic Council of Montenegro also sent its condolences.

„We have always maintained a relationship of mutual respect and esteem with the Metropolitan. We will especially remember his contribution to the preservation of peace and stability in our country at crucial moments in the recent history of Montenegro,“ reads the statement of the Atlantic Council signed by its President, Savo Kentera.

Georgijev: He was a great figure in the SOC

„Even today, I do not understand why he did not become a patriarch after Pavle…“ Newsmax Adria director Slobodan Georgiev tweeted.

He added that the Metropolitan was a great figure in the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Djokovic: Amfilohije – the guiding light for the SOC and the people of Montenegro

„A very sad day for Orthodoxy,“ Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic said in a reaction to Metropolitan’s death yesterday.

Djokovic underlined that Amfilohije was a great fighter for Orthodoxy and „someone who was the guiding light for the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people in Montenegro.“

„I had the honor of meeting him and spending some time with him and feeling that incredible energy he possessed,“ the world’s best tennis player said, adding that we should be grateful for everything he has done, especially in recent times.

SNF: Amfilohije always put Kosovo above everything

„The Serb people will forever remember the devotion with which the Metropolitan saved the helpless and injured in Metohija in 1999, especially in Pec and the Metohija villages,“ the Serbian National Forum announced today on the eve of the funeral of Metropolitan Amfilohije.

The SNF said that hundreds of Serbs in Kosovo survived only thanks to Amfilohije’s devotion and courage.

„He searched for, found, mourned and held requiem over the bones of many whose lives he could not save, all over Kosovo. For him, Kosovo was something which could not be negotiated about, a place where betrayal can be seen from Heaven, and the suffering of Kosovo and the suffering of Metohija cries out to Heaven,“ the Serbian National Forum added.

A number of international officials also sent their condolences.

Godfrey expressed condolences on behalf of the American people

The US Ambassador to Belgrade, Anthony Godfrey also reacted on the occasion.
„On behalf of the American people and on my own behalf, I express my sincere condolences to Patriarch Irinej, the Serbian Orthodox Church and all its believers on the occasion of the death of Metropolitan Amfilohije,“ Godfrey tweeted.

The US ambassador to Montenegro, Judy Rising Reinke and the Italian embassy in Montenegro also expressed their condolences, as did the head of the European Union Delegation to Montenegro and the British ambassador.

Varhelyi: May he rest in peace

“My condolences to the people of Montenegro who mourn the passing of Metropolitan Amfilohije Radovic. May he rest in peace,” the European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi tweeted, while also sharing a photo with Amfilohije.

Meanwhile, numerous posts and photos have been shared on social networks since yesterday pointing to Metropolitan Amfilohije’s important role when it comes to the protection of Serb people and Orthodox shrines in Kosovo, as well as the mosques during the 2004 riots in Serbia.

ОВО ЈЕ НАШ МИТРОПОЛИТ И НАШЕ СВЕШТЕНСТВО – Косово и Метохија 1999.г.(аутор фот. пок. Живота Ћирић)
Ово ,, пацови“ из Јавне куће РТЦГ не приказују !!!

Posted by Јован Маркуш on Thursday, 20 February 2020

 

Metropolitan Amfilohije was a controversial and an often criticized figure for some of the international public. In addition to numerous reactions describing Amfilohije as the main and very important figure of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and the protector of Serbs in Kosovo, there are also those who are calling him a „warmonger“.

Selimi: Does Varhelyi know the warmongering history of the deceased Bishop Amfilohije

The chief executive officer of the Millennium Foundation Kosovo and former Kosovo foreign minister, Petrit Selimi commented Varhelyi’s announcement, posing the question on why this tweet was posted and whether the EU ever tweeted condolences for the passing of any other religious leader in Balkans.

„Does Oliver Varhelyi know the warmongering history of the deceased Bishop Amfilohije? His friendship with murderous thugs like Arkan and Karadzic?“ Selimi inquired.

The co-chairman of the US-European Alliance and the founder of the Civic Alliance, Reuf Bajrovic said that Amfilohije „was a monster, let’s not forget that“.

„1244 is swarming on my line again. The reason is that I think that Amfilohije – aka Risto Satan – should be remembered as a promoter of Arkan and Radovan,“ added Bajrovic.

„The life cycle of a man who loved war and hated many is over“

While reporting on the death of the Metropolitan, some media outlets placed the life and work of Amfilohije in a negative context.

Picking up the news article from Radio Free Europe, Pristina-based Koha reported that Amfilohije had sharply criticized and strongly opposed political and social projects in Montenegro over the past thirty years that did not coincide with the concept of „so-called all-Serb unity and the spiritual and ideological unity of St. Sava.“

In its title, Koha reminded of Amfilohije’s words regarding the status of Kosovo: „Amfilohije referred to the recognition of Kosovo’s independence a betrayal and shame of Montenegro“.

While writing about the news of Amfilohije’s death, Oslobodjenje.ba reported that the „controversial Metropolitan“ had passed away, and that “the life cycle of a man who loved war and hated many” had ended, „for whom politics was love and worship was duty“.

“He died of the coronavirus, believing until the last day in the idea of the so-called ‘Greater Serbia’ and that the happiness of one’s own people can be built on the misfortune of another.“

The Metropolitan’s remains were transferred to the Church of Christ’s Resurrection

In the meantime, the remains of Metropolitan Amfilohije were transferred from Cetinje to the Church of Christ’s Resurrection in Podgorica, where the Metropolitan’s funeral will be held tomorrow. A large number of believers gathered in front of this temple in Podgorica.

Along with Patriarch Pavle, Amfilohije was the most popular and important Serbian bishop in recent history among the clergy and the faithful, known under the nickname „Djedo“.

The Metropolitan was a key figure in the renewal of the Orthodox faith and the development of the church in Montenegro before and after the breakup of Yugoslavia.
He left behind numerous volumes on theology, philosophy, essays, translation works, and poetry.

Amfilohije spoke Greek, Russian, Italian, German, and French. He used ancient Greek, Latin, and Church Slavonic in his scientific work.

Read more:

 Metropolitan Amfilohije passes away


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