Today, September 5, 2021, the summer of the Lord, on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Eminence the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Mr. Joanikije, whom the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church elected at the May session of the 2021 summer of the Lord as the successor of the blessed Metropolitan Amfilohi.

Metropolitan of Montenegrin and Littoral Mr. Joanikij was ceremoniously introduced to the ancient sacred throne of the Montenegrin and Littoral Metropolitans by His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Mr. Porphyry.

Metropolitan Joanikije is the 56th bishop of this bishopric of Svetosava, which was established 800 years ago, later elevated to the rank of metropolitan, and the 41st metropolitan of Montenegro and the littoral who was enthroned in the Cetinje monastery.

In the opening speech, the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Mr. Joanikije said that he will begin his metropolitan service with a gentle gospel word, uniting the people entrusted to him around the throne of God in order to feed them with heavenly bread, teaching everyone how to govern in the House of God, which is the Church of God, the pillar and fortress of truth.

"The Gospel of Christ will be the foundation of everything I will do and build, knowing that I have come to build not an ordinary building but a living Church of God, of which Christ is the cornerstone. Performing his holy service, the High Priest stands visibly in front of his people before the face of God, offering gifts to the living God from all and for all, through Christ. The archbishop was given by God to perform the service of reconciliation so that we can reconcile with our conscience and with each other so that we can also reconcile with God, to unite with God and our neighbors. In that holy unity is our strength, salvation and immortality...

As archpastor, I will serve fraternal reconciliation in Montenegro, healing old and new wounds in the being of the people entrusted to me. I will seek the good of God in the souls of the faithful, which, I am convinced, is abundant so that it may spread to the glory of the Church of God. As before, I will share both good and bad with my people, joy and sorrow. To help the poor, to comfort the mourners, to encourage the frightened, to look for the lost and forgotten, carrying the cross of my people so that the Lord would strengthen and strengthen me in this exalted service with his Life-giving Cross.

As the greatest and most pleasant duty, I will dedicate myself to the religious education and upbringing of children and youth who are expected to bring happiness and joy to their parents and the whole society. Young men and women taught Christian virtues, work and responsibility, trained for life and creation will in time establish families, be good spouses and parents, establish loving family communities based on God's blessing. People free from sin and selfishness, ready for sacrifice and love for their neighbor, can build a family, the Church and the state..."

Addressing Metropolitan Joaniki, the Patriarch then said that the service of the Metropolitan of Montenegrin and Littoral is sublime and that it is a great honor and responsibility to come to the throne of Saint Peter of Cetinje and many saints to this day, and after the great father of the blessed Metropolitan Amfilohi.

"Your mission will be, the council of our Church expects you, and the entire Orthodox Church as well, to blunt the edges, to build bridges, not to ask who is who, how they express themselves, to which nation they belong, but to witness peace by serving the Liturgy and you give communion to every man, asking him only for his name by which he was baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and by which the living Lord Himself knows him. Because in the Church, as you well know, there are no boundaries. There are no enmities, there are no divisions, because the Church is by its very meaning ekklisia - assembly! She gathers everything in Christ and in Christ. That is your task, but I know you will be crucified. And therefore always listen to the word of Christ, which says: When they curse you, bless them. When they persecute you, you endure, when they blaspheme you, you pray. And when they speak against you, when they persecute you and when they blaspheme you, you will always bless, suffer and pray for everything. You have done this until now and you will continue to do so, certainly with the help of Saint Peter of Cetinje, with the help of Saint Basil of Ostrog, with the help of all the saints of God born in Montenegro, with the help of the prayers of your spiritual father, our common teacher, the blessed Metropolitan Amfilohi. ”

Long live, Most Reverend Bishop, for many summers!

https://mitropolija.com/2021/09/05/foto-prica-svecano-ustolicenje-mitropolita-crnogorsko-primorskog-joanikija-u-cetinjskog-manastir/