Kovačević: Joanikije and Metodije were arrested and beaten, they were also witnesses of their faith and steadfast servants of God

The President of the Municipality of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević, congratulated the former Bishop of Budamlje-Nikšić, Joaniki, on his election as Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral.

He also congratulated the current vicar bishop of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, Metodije, on his election as head of the Eparchy of Budamiljansko-Niššić.

"On my own behalf and on behalf of the municipality of Nikšić, I congratulate the Most Reverend Bishop Joaniki on his election to the post of Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral and the Most Reverend Bishop Metodije on his election to the post of Bishop of Budapest-Nikšić," Kovačević said, published on the website of the New Serbian Democracy (NSD) he member.

Kovačević added that the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) "showed with this election that it feels and knows its flock best of all, that it is familiar with its will, its aspirations and its needs, it has shown that it is the foundation of our existence and our incorruptibility as a people ".

"Those archbishops who, led by our blessedly departed Metropolitan Amfilohi, shared both good and pain with the people, especially last year in the fight to preserve our sanctuaries, came to the throne of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral and the Diocese of Budimljana and Nikšić. They were arrested and beaten and other witnesses of their faith and steadfast servants of God. I wish Metropolitan Joaniki and Bishop Metodije to perform the new service given to them for the benefit of our entire local SPC and its faithful people," concluded Kovačević.