Podgorica, Montenegro, November 5, 2026
Photo: orthodox.pl
Bishops from the Serbian, Polish, and Albanian Orthodox Churches stood together at one altar in Montenegro last week, serving the Divine Liturgy to mark the sixth anniversary of the repose of His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije.
The Liturgy was held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Cathedral of Christ’s Resurrection in Podgorica, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro. Concelebrating with him were His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Gjirokastër of the Albanian Orthodox Church and His Grace Bishop Andrzej of Supraśl of the Polish Orthodox Church, along with several Serbian Church hierarchs, reports the Polish Orthodox Church.
Bishop Andrzej was on an official visit to Montenegro from October 28 to 31 at the invitation of Metropolitan Joanikije, who had visited the Diocese of Białystok and Gdańsk a month earlier.
After the Liturgy, the hierarchs served a memorial service for Metropolitan Amfilohije at his resting place in the chapel of St. Amphilochius of Iconium, in the crypt of the cathedral.
Photo: orthodox.pl
Delivering the sermon, His Eminence Metropolitan Teodosije of Raška and Prizren spoke about the responsibility of pastoral ministry, whose purpose is to lead people to God and salvation. He said Metropolitan Amfilohije lived out that ministry. “He fed his flock with the word of God and was ready at any moment to lay down his life for his people,” Metropolitan Teodosije said. He added that the fruits of the late Metropolitan’s labor can be seen in renewed Church life, restored churches, and children growing up in the faith. He also recalled Metropolitan Amfilohije’s care for the suffering people of Kosovo and Metohija.
Metropolitan Joanikije thanked his brother bishops for coming, singling out Metropolitan Nathanael and Bishop Andrzej for bringing the love of their local Churches.
Several of the hierarchs then went on to the Cetinje Monastery for the feast of St. Peter of Cetinje. There, His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostom of Sarajevo and Srebrenica led the All-Night Vigil and Liturgy.
Other events filled out the visit. On the evening of the anniversary, a scholarly and literary gathering titled “Metropolitan Amfilohije: Educator, Professor, and Theologian” was held in the cathedral crypt. A similar evening honored His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania the night before, and included a presentation of the Serbian translation of his book Mission in Christ’s Way.
On Bishop Andrzej’s first day in Montenegro, the Serbian translation of the book Saints of the Orthodox Church in Poland was presented.
Photo: orthodox.pl
Bishop Andrzej also visited Ostrog Monastery and Zdrebaonik Convent, where he venerated the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog and St. Arsenije, Archbishop of Serbia. He also took part in a ceremony blessing the site of a future church of St. Basil of Ostrog in Podgorica, where a cross was erected.
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