Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović decided to posthumously award the highest state order to the former Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Amfilohije.
He said he made this decision on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the death of the former metropolitan.
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 State, on the page related to decorations.
"The Order of Montenegro consists of an order star, a large necklace, or ribbon, and an order badge. The large necklace is made of silver, 950 mm long and consists of 10 circular links, 30 mm in diameter, which are interconnected by decorative braided interweaving with the order stars and the order badge. The links feature characteristic details from Montenegrin history and culture: the coat of arms of Vojislavljević, the coat of arms of Petrović, the seal of archon Petar, the seal of Petar I, the coat of arms of Balšić, the coat of arms of Crnojević, an element from the 'Oktoich' with the letter K, the letter R with a crown from the book by Božidar Vuković, a portrait of a Montenegrin mother from the caryatid on the Mausoleum on Lovćen and a portrait of a Montenegrin warrior from Petar Lubarda's painting 'The Battle of Vučjem dol'. The order badge is hung on the large necklace," the description reads.
"An indelible mark in the spiritual and social life of Montenegro"
Milatović said that Amfilohije left an "indelible mark on the spiritual and social life of Montenegro during his almost three decades at the head of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral."
He recalled the biography of the former metropolitan. "Born in 1938 in Bare 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," Milatović wrote on Iks.
He says 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 marches soon took on a broader social meaning and became a symbol of peaceful civil resistance. The massiveness and duration of the marches were one of the key factors that contributed to the peaceful change of decades-long rule, which opened the way for Montenegro to full membership in 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."
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