Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Enthroned in Cetinje Monastery

Metropolitan Joanikije (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral, a bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church, was enthroned at the Cetinje Monastery early on Sept. 5 after being flown in to the monastery by helicopter together with Church head Porfirije.

Patriarch Porfirije said that Joanikije and he had not come to steal anything or threaten anyone. "Our Church has chosen you and our arrival is not about taking anything away, threatening anyone or stealing. We have come to perform the holy act of your enthronement," Porfirije said.

After his enthronement, Joanikije said citizens' protests were artificially created. "The divisions are artificial and we have done everything to prevent them, but we will need a lot of time. By coming here and sharing our concerns from last night, you have shown great love, not only to me, but to the entire people of Montenegro," Joanikije said.

Cetinje is peaceful and stable after the enthronement of Metropolitan Joanikije, after some 20 police officers were injured in clashes and incidents with citizens, assistant director of the Police Department Dragan Gorovic has said. The Montenegrin Police Department said in a press release that eight arrests were made in Montenegro, including the arrest of Montenegrin presidential aide Veselin Veljovic. Police previously penetrated several roadblocks, used teargas and dispersed groups of citizens at multiple locations in the city.