SPC metropolitan laid to rest in Zagreb

SPC metropolitan laid to rest in Zagreb

The funeral liturgy was served by Patriarch Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Chuch (SPC) in the presence of representatives of religious communities, politicians and numerous believers.

According to Patriarch Irinej, Metropolitan Jovan was well-known in the Church and among Orthodox believers for his Christian warmth, gentleness and serenity.

He was appointed bishop in 1977 and in 1982 he claimed the position of the administrator of the Metropolitanate of Zagreb and Ljubljana, the patriarch said.

In the grim times, Metropolitan Jovan knew how to perform his duties in the best possible way, Irinej said.

The funeral was attended by Croatian President Ivo Josipović, Assembly Speaker Josip Leko, Croatian prime minister's envoy Minister Mirando Mrsić, representative of the Serbian government Mileta Radojević, Apostolic Nuncio to Croatia Alessandro D'Errico, Archbishop of Zagreb Josip Bozanić, Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić, President of the Serb National Council in Croatia Milorad Pupovac and other officials.

Bishop Fotije of Dalmatia was appointed as administrator of the Metropolitanate of Zagreb and Ljubljana after he received the visit of Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanović who came to express deepest condolences on Friday.

Metropolitan Jovan was born in the village of Medinci near Slatina in Slavonia on October 22, 1936.

He graduated from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Belgrade in 1963 and completed his postgraduate studies in Germany. He held office as the suplente of the Prizren Faculty of Theology in Kosovo and Metohija and the Theological school in Monastery Krka in Croatia.

He served as a member of the SPC Holy Synod in several mandates and chaired the Synod in the Patriarchate of Pec in 1990.

As the chair of the SPC Council of Bishops in Croatia, he signed the contract with prime minister Ivica Račan concerning the ties between the SPC and the government of the Republic of Croatia.

With a view to nurturing the relations with the Roman Catholic Church, Metropolitan Jovan served as the delegate of late Serbian patriarch Pavle in Vatican where he conferred with Pope John Paul II.

In cooperation with and with the assistance of the City of Zagreb and the Republic of Croatia, Metropolitan Jovan founded the Serbian Orthodox Grammar School Katarina Branković-Kantakuzina in Zagreb.