{"id":218132,"date":"2026-09-09T18:11:59","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T16:11:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/?p=218132"},"modified":"2026-09-09T18:12:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T16:12:01","slug":"ready-to-strike-at-joanikije-porfirije-is-sending-a-commission-after-him-just-as-he-did-with-justin-the-real-reason-being-his-resistance-to-vucic-and-support-for-the-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/ready-to-strike-at-joanikije-porfirije-is-sending-a-commission-after-him-just-as-he-did-with-justin-the-real-reason-being-his-resistance-to-vucic-and-support-for-the-students\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cREADY TO STRIKE AT JOANIKIJE\u201d: Porfirije is sending a Commission after him, just as he did with Justin, the real reason being his resistance to Vu\u010di\u0107 and support for the students!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral could soon find himself under an \u201cinvestigation\u201d by a commission of the Serbian Orthodox Church which, according to the official explanation, is supposed to analyze the way the Metropolitanate operates and determine whether there have been administrative and financial irregularities. However, according to information obtained by Nova.rs, the real reason why the metropolitan is under scrutiny is his public disagreement with the policies of official Belgrade, as well as his refusal to withdraw his signature from the letter of support that he, together with five other bishops, sent to students and citizens protesting in Serbia.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commission that is supposed to analyze the work of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral and the way it is administered by Metropolitan Joanikije will, according to our information, be formed almost identically to the one that was sent to the Diocese of \u017di\u010da. We recall that, following that \u201cinspection,\u201d Metropolitan Justin was suspended at this year\u2019s Assembly for what was officially described as disputed material and financial operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sources within Nova.rs, however, claimed that the real reason for the confrontation with Justin was that he was the only bishop based in Serbia who openly supported the student-citizen protests, and that his removal represented a straightforward political order from the very top of the authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the move against Joanikije was planned<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to the commission that is supposed to examine the finances in Cetinje, the only significant difference compared with the \u201c\u017di\u010da case\u201d is that, according to our information, Metropolitan Methodius of Budimlje and Nik\u0161i\u0107 is not expected to be part of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason, according to information from Nova.rs, is the assessment by the top leadership of the Serbian Orthodox Church that a direct, frontal attack on Joanikije would provoke a huge public reaction, particularly in Montenegro, given the influence and respect he enjoys among believers there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As our sources say, the idea is to present the inspection of the finances of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral as a routine, systematic review. Therefore, before arriving in Cetinje, the commission is expected to visit Berane, the seat of Metropolitan Methodius, and inspect the operations of the Diocese of Budimlje and Nik\u0161i\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this is where the key maneuver lies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to our information, the Diocese of Budimlje and Nik\u0161i\u0107 was informed in advance about the commission\u2019s arrival so that those responsible for finances could prepare the documentation in time, creating the appearance that the inspections were being conducted merely as a matter of routine, while a trap is being prepared in Cetinje.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating a crisis between Belgrade and Podgorica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What could, however, represent a serious obstacle for the envoys of the Serbian Orthodox Church leadership and the implementation of the alleged investigation is the reaction of the authorities in Podgorica. According to Nova.rs sources, there is a genuine fear within the top leadership of the Serbian Orthodox Church that the Montenegrin authorities could directly ban the commission members from entering the territory of their country. Our portal received identical information from sources within Montenegro\u2019s security structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our source recalls the recent warning by Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spaji\u0107 that pressure and attacks against that country will become increasingly intense as it approaches European Union membership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On that occasion, he said that officials from two countries in the region would participate in hybrid activities against Podgorica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSending such a commission is precisely one form of obstruction, because in this way the crisis and political confrontations from Serbia are being exported to the territory of Montenegro. The arrival of a commission with a task politically dictated from Belgrade is, in essence, no different from sending BIA agents with the aim of artificially creating a crisis atmosphere on the ground,\u201d our source explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clash with Vu\u010di\u0107 and resistance to Patriarchate pressure over the students<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral is considered one of the few bishops within the Serbian Orthodox Church who have not accepted the unofficial authority of Serbian President Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107 over the Church. Since the SNS came to power, there has been talk of the so-called \u201csymphony of Church and state,\u201d behind which critics see an increasingly blatant subordination of the Serbian Orthodox Church leadership to the authorities of Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107 and the SNS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As one of the closest associates of the late Metropolitan Amfilohije, Joanikije remained among the church dignitaries who openly spoke about problems within the Serbian Orthodox Church and society, regardless of whether this pleased the authorities in Belgrade or Podgorica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joanikije incurred particular anger from the Patriarchate leadership and the ruling SNS when he refused to give in to direct pressure and withdraw his signature from a letter of support for students protesting in Serbia, in which the Church\u2019s insulting behavior and the media campaign against young people in the streets were condemned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the Patriarchate issued an explicit request that the bishops not get involved and that the signature be removed from the appeal, the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral stood by his position, effectively putting a target on his own back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to supporting the students, the conflict was laid bare in early August, when the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral directly responded to Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107, accusing him of unacceptable interference in Church affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason was Vu\u010di\u0107\u2019s statements about the litije, as well as his claims that there had been \u201cmalicious and dangerous\u201d ideas within the Serbian Orthodox Church about federalizing the Church and creating an \u201cOrthodox Church in Montenegro.\u201d The Metropolitanate responded by saying that Vu\u010di\u0107\u2019s claims were \u201cfull of ambiguities,\u201d delivering a sharp and unequivocal message to the Serbian president:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe did not allow politicians to have the final say back then, so we do not believe that politicians have the right to interpret Church events today either. Their uninvited interference in Church affairs does not bring good to either the state or the Church,\u201d the Metropolitanate said at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Methodius as a counterweight and Vu\u010di\u0107\u2019s protector<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, at one point, as a vicar bishop, that is, before being enthroned as head of the Diocese of Budimlje and Nik\u0161i\u0107, Methodius was among the bishops who did not attend the \u201ctraditional lunches\u201d Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107 hosted at the Presidency of Serbia during the sessions of the Assembly. However, after his move to Berane, the situation changed drastically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also demonstrated by the reaction following the sharp statement from the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, when the Diocese of Budimlje and Nik\u0161i\u0107 openly sided with the Serbian president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Joanikije told Vu\u010di\u0107 not to interfere in Church affairs, Methodius expressed his \u201csincere gratitude\u201d to him for his \u201ccontinuous concern\u201d for the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church, claiming that Vu\u010di\u0107\u2019s messages \u201cbring peace among the faithful people of Saint Sava.\u201d The diocese explicitly stated that it did not view Vu\u010di\u0107\u2019s statements as political pressure, but rather as \u201cbrotherly concern and statesmanlike, responsible strengthening of awareness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Precisely because of this demonstrated loyalty to the regime in Belgrade, it is expected that the maneuver by the Serbian Orthodox Church commission and its departure for Berane before Cetinje will be enough to ensure that no one suspects that this is a politically ordered \u201cfinancial investigation\u201d intended to silence yet another disobedient bishop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial staff of Nova.rs sent questions to the Serbian Orthodox Church\u2019s Information Service regarding the claims about the formation and arrival of the commission, but received no response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MORE TOPICS:<\/mark><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWE WON\u2019T LET THEM TREAT US LIKE TOURISTS\u201d: Drivers from BiH, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia to protest tomorrow, threaten border blockades if Brussels does not back down!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WITH THE MONEY OF CITIZENS WHO HAVE NO WATER: \u010ca\u010dak spent two million on a Breskvica concert, but only around 60 people attended!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEW BLOW TO EDUCATION: Government preparing a law that will punish everyone \u2013 teachers could lose their licenses, while students could be transferred out of school!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE MEDAL SERBIA HAD BEEN WAITING SEVEN YEARS FOR: Marko finishes second at the World Rowing Championships, silver shining like gold!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HUMAN AND SPORTING GREATNESS: \u0110okovi\u0107 sends powerful words to one of his greatest rivals on his induction into the Hall of Fame! (VIDEO)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GATHERED IN HONOR OF RATKO MLADI\u0106: Thousands of citizens across cities in Republika Srpska also took to the streets last night to pay tribute to the late general! (PHOTO)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source<\/strong>:<\/strong> Nova.rs<\/a>, Foto:<\/strong> MCP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral could soon find himself under an \u201cinvestigation\u201d by a commission of the Serbian Orthodox Church which, according to the official explanation, is supposed to analyze the way the Metropolitanate operates and determine whether there have been administrative and financial irregularities. However, according to information obtained by Nova.rs, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2169,"featured_media":218133,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[856,253,12950,399,4614,113],"class_list":["post-218132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-serbia","tag-aleksandar-vucic","tag-beograd","tag-mitropolit-joanikije","tag-patrijarh-porfirije","tag-podrska-studentima","tag-srbija","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t