On Thursday, March 19/6, 2026, on the feast of the 42 martyrs of Amorea, the regular annual assembly of the clergy and monastics of the Metropolis of Montenegro and the Littoral was held in the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica.

The assembly began with the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, His Eminence Bishop Joanikije, and His Eminence Bishop Paisij of Diocletia, Vicar Bishop of the Metropolis.

The working part of the assembly began with an introductory speech by Metropolitan Joanikije, who, first of all, emphasized the importance of church assemblies as visible signs of catholicity and unity. He also emphasized the importance of diligence in the pastoral work entrusted to the clergy and monasticism, emphasizing that the Lord blesses every effort and commitment. He added that younger priests and monks should be careful in spiritual leadership, not to take on burdens that they cannot bear, and to always learn from those who are older and more experienced in the clergy.

The Metropolitan emphasized the importance of religious education and work with young people at a time when human souls and hearts are most open to the preaching of the Gospel and the spreading of the word of God, emphasizing that this teaching service is an important and integral part of the overall pastoral work.

In the continuation of the meeting, the hierarchal vicars presented reports on the life of the Church in their vicariates, introducing the gathered brothers and sisters to the liturgical practice, the most important events, pastoral challenges, the renovation and construction of new churches and other church buildings, and some statistical data. It was noted that in most of the Metropolis, the practice of burying baptized Christians without a funeral service is still widespread, and that the faithful should be reminded of this. Among the activities presented by the hierarchal vicars, the work on the work of philanthropy and helping the needy was particularly praised, which is carried out both through the Charity Fund Čovjekoljublje and soup kitchens, as well as through the activities of those church communities, parishes and monastery administrations that have the means to do so. This work will continue to develop by establishing other institutions.

Attention was paid to the educational work in the Metropolis, which takes place primarily in two schools: the Seminary of St. Peter of Cetinje in Cetinje and the Gymnasium "Saint Sava" in Podgorica.

The Cetinje Seminary has improved the living and working conditions of students in the previous period, and the gathering was invited to encourage interested elementary school graduates to enroll in this school, which is the oldest high school in Montenegro.

The Gymnasium "Saint Sava" will produce its first generation of graduates next school year, and it is expected that talented elementary school students will be increasingly interested in enrolling in this gymnasium. Moving into the new, modernly equipped building is expected next school year, which will give even greater momentum to this educational institution.

It was noted with regret that the media and all kinds of other campaigns against the Serbian Orthodox Church, unfortunately, still have a large space in the Montenegrin public. Gross untruths about the alleged inappropriate influence of our Church on state decisions and political positions do not stop being spread by certain groups and individuals. However, this will not stop the Church from preaching the word of God freely and without fear. At the same time, it will continue to demand the rights and freedoms that it should have in a modern democracy, and this without being challenged by those who still view the Church and faith through the eyes of aggressive atheism and the systematic pushing of the Church to the margins of society. Such an attitude towards the Church makes every believer, and especially priests, a target, and represents discrimination and hate speech, which has never been sanctioned.

It is unacceptable to slanderously classify the clergy and monasticism of the Metropolis as suitable and unsuitable, and especially to put their loyalty to the unity of the Church on the scale, which, unfortunately, is not a rare case in recent years. Such attempts to stratify and sow division are transparent and have no results. It is inappropriate and offensive to point the finger at those who suffered for the unity of the Serbian Orthodox Church and showed a willingness to make sacrifices even under the most severe pressures. Led by their archpastors, the clergy and monasticism, with the great support of the faithful people, actively worked to prevent political and ideological interests from managing processes in the Church - whether the propagators of these interests were trying to rearrange the borders of church jurisdiction, to frame the Church or to teach us some new gospel. The unity among the clergy that was demonstrated in the crisis years of direct attacks on the Church has not been broken.

Considering the media reports about the possible division of the Metropolis and the seizure of those parts on which it was founded by Saint Sava, the first Serbian Archbishop, it was unanimously concluded that there are no pastoral reasons for this, and therefore such proposals would be completely unfounded and harmful to the mission of the Church in our country and would represent a kind of blow to the history of the Metropolis and a separation from the roots from which it emerged. The assembled welcomed the position already expressed in the statement of the Metropolis published on this occasion.

In these days of Holy Lent, in which war is being waged on all sides of the world, this gathering sent a message of hope in eternal life in the risen Christ, a Life that destroys human fear, misfortune, hatred and suffering, and grants peace and love.

Cetinje, 20 March 2026.

Metropolitan Church of Montenegro and the Littoral