 Patriarch Pavle died on November 15, 2009, and Amfilohije continued his role as Guardian of the Throne.Amfilohije, portrayed as a compromise figure between nationalists and bishops, along with Vasilije Kačavenda and Irinej Bulović were the main candidates for SOC patriarch.He ceased to perform that duty after the election of Bishop Irinej of Niš as the new Patriarch on January 22, 2010.