Patriarch Pavle receives assistance

Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Coast, has been appointed to assist Patriarch Pavle, who is hospitalized. Amfilohije, as the oldest member of the Holy Synod, will help in the discharge of daily duties at the Synod, Serbian Patriarchate Managing Board and the Archbishopric of Belgrade and Karlovac. Patriarch Pavle receives assistance The Serbian Orthodox Chuch said in a statement that the decision had been made by the Holy Synod, which also appointed Bishop Atanasije of Hvostan to assist Metropolitan Amfilohije in church affairs. The statement said that Church regulations did not mention the term deputy and added that it was "clear that in the case of the Patriarch's illness somebody has to replace or assist him." The statement said that this "does not prejudice the future election of the Patriarch in any way."

Patriarch Pavle receives assistance

The Serbian Orthodox Chuch said in a statement that the decision had been made by the Holy Synod, which also appointed Bishop Atanasije of Hvostan to assist Metropolitan Amfilohije in church affairs.

The statement said that Church regulations did not mention the term deputy and added that it was "clear that in the case of the Patriarch's illness somebody has to replace or assist him."

The statement said that this "does not prejudice the future election of the Patriarch in any way."