President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic decided to give the former metropolitan of the Montenegrin-Littrian Orthodox Church Amphilochia posthumously awarded the highest state order, although it is awarded to presidents of states and leaders of international organizations.
"The Order of Montenegro is the highest state decoration awarded on a large necklace to presidents or sovereigns of states and leaders of international organizations or on a ribbon to other high-ranking officials of foreign states or international organizations," it says on the website of the President of the country, on the page related to decorations.
The same is written in the Law on State Decorations and Recognitions.
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Milatović announced yesterday that he made this decision on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the death of the former metropolitan, assessing that Amfilohije left an indelible mark on the spiritual and social life of Montenegro during almost three decades at the head of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral.
He stated that Amfilohije, with his reputation throughout the Christian world, made a significant contribution to the international reputation of Montenegro.
"At a crucial historical moment - during the referendum on the independence of Montenegro in 2006 - his calls for parliamentary democracy and mutual respect contributed to Montenegro going through this process peacefully and without conflict. In doing so, he made an immeasurable contribution to preserving peace and stability in the country."
Milatović also said that in the last years of his life, Amfilohije became "a symbol of spiritual resistance, especially during 2019 and 2020 when he led processions in support of the Law on Freedom of Religion."
“The protests soon took on a broader social meaning and became a symbol of peaceful civil resistance. The massive scale and duration of the protests were one of the key factors that contributed to the peaceful change of decades-long rule, which opened the way for Montenegro to become a full member of the EU.”
He said that by posthumously awarding Amfilohije the highest state decoration, Montenegro is recognizing "his contribution to preserving spiritual tradition, building social peace in the most sensitive moments of our contemporary history, as well as his role in improving the international reputation of our country."
Milatović stated that Amfilohije was born in 1938 in Bare Radovića, in Donja Morača, and that 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."
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