Montenegro Honors Late Metropolitan Amfilohije with Highest Award

Montenegro’s President, Jakov Milatović, announced the posthumous awarding of the country’s highest state honor to Metropolitan Amfilohije on the fifth anniversary of his death. This recognition highlights the profound impact that Amfilohije had on the spiritual and social landscape of Montenegro throughout his nearly three-decade leadership of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church.

Born in 1938 in Barama Radovića, located in Donja Morača, Amfilohije pursued extensive theological and philological studies in cities including Belgrade, Bern, Rome, and Athens. His educational journey positioned him as one of the most learned bishops in the Orthodox world, as noted by Milatović in his statement.

The President emphasized that Amfilohije’s influence extended beyond religious matters, contributing significantly to Montenegro’s international standing. During the critical moment of Montenegro’s independence referendum in 2006, Amfilohije called for unity and mutual respect, which helped the nation navigate this pivotal process peacefully and without conflict.

In his later years, Amfilohije became a symbol of spiritual resistance, particularly during the protests of 2019 and 2020 against the controversial Law on Freedom of Religion. These protests, known as litije, evolved into a broader social movement, embodying a peaceful civil resistance. Milatović described the mass participation and sustained nature of these demonstrations as crucial in facilitating a peaceful transition from decades of entrenched governance, ultimately paving the way for Montenegro’s aspirations for full membership in the European Union.

By bestowing the highest state award posthumously on Metropolitan Amfilohije, Montenegro acknowledges his contributions to preserving the nation’s spiritual heritage and fostering social peace during some of the most sensitive periods in its modern history. Milatović concluded that this honor also reflects Amfilohije’s role in enhancing Montenegro’s international reputation.