On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the death of Metropolitan Amfilohi, the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, made the decision to award him the highest state order posthumously.
"Metropolitan of Montenegrin and Littoral Amfilohije (1938–2020) left an indelible mark on the spiritual and social life of Montenegro during almost three decades at the head of the Metropolitanate of Montenegrin and Littoral," said Milatović on the "X" network.
As he recalled, he was born in 1938 in Bara Radovića in Donja Morača, he received his education at theological, theological and philological studies in Belgrade, Bern, Rome and Athens, becoming one of the most educated bishops in the Orthodox world.
With his reputation throughout the Christian world, he made a significant contribution to the international reputation of Montenegro. In a key historical moment - during the referendum on the independence of Montenegro in 2006 - his calls for unity and mutual respect contributed to Montenegro going through this process peacefully and without conflict. In doing so, he made an immeasurable contribution to the preservation of peace and stability in the country," said Milatović.
In the last years of his life, he became, as he points out, a symbol of spiritual resistance, especially during 2019 and 2020 when he led the processions on the occasion of the Law on Freedom of Religion.
"Lithias soon took on a wider social meaning and became a symbol of peaceful civil resistance. The massiveness and duration of the litias were one of the key factors that contributed to the peaceful change of the multi-decade government, which paved the way for Montenegro to become a full member of the EU. By posthumously awarding the highest state award to Metropolitan Amfilohi, Montenegro acknowledges his contribution to the preservation of spiritual traditions, building social peace in the most sensitive moments of our modern history, as well as his role in improving the international reputation of our country," Milatović's post on the "X" social network reads.
(RTCG)