Difference between revisions of "Joanikije (Lipovac) of Montenegro"

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Our father among the [[saint]]s '''Metropolitan Joanikije (Lipovac)'''(''in Serbian:'''''Свети свештеномучуник Јоаникије Црногорско-приморски''') was the Metropolitan of the Diocese of Montenegro and the Littoral in Yugoslavia as it became a battleground during World War II. He attempted to maintain the [[diocese]] as the area transitioned between German and communist rule. With the ascendency of communist control he attempted to leave the area with many of his [[priest]]s. The attempt was unsuccessful and he and his party of priests were brutally killed. In 1999, his name was added to the list of Serbian [[saint]]s.
The future metropolitan was born Jovan Lipovac into the family of Špiro and Marija Lipovac on [[February 16]],1880 in Stoliva on the Bay of Boka Kotorska. His mother's maiden name was Damjanovic. Jovan completed primary school education in Prcanj, followed by grammar school in Kotor. Jovan began his theological studies at the Orthodox Theological Institute in Zadar, and continued at the Philosophical Faculty in Belgrade. He also passed an exam for the professorship of theological subjects.
Jovan was [[ordination|ordained]] deacon on [[November 8]], 1912 and as a priest on [[November 10]] by Bishop Vladimir of Boka Kotorska and Dubrovnik. During the period 1912-1918 he was a [[chaplain]] in Kotor before becoming  a [[parish]] priest in Laštva. From 1919 to 1925 he was an assistant professor in the grammar school in Cetinje, before assignment to the lower-grade Female School, Female Teachers School, and the Cetinje Seminary. From 1925 to 1940, he was a professor in the First Male Grammar School in Belgrade.
After the death of his wife, he was elected Auxiliary Bishop of Budimlje at the end of 1939. He, then, took [[monasticism|monastic]] vows with the name Joanikije at the Rakovica Monastery in Skopje. Joanikije was consecrated [[bishop]] on [[February 11]], 1940 by Metropolitan Josif in the Belgrade Cathedral. Later, on [[December 10]], 1940, he was elected Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral at an extraordinary session of the Holy Assembly of Bishops.
== Martyrdom ==
Metr. Joanikije was the [[ruling bishop]] of the Diocese of Montenegro and the Littoral at a very difficult time. He was able to keep the Cetinje [[Seminary]] functioning even during in the hardest times of war. On [[July 20]], 1942, he directed his priests: "to avoid any kind of political engagement and to take care of their duties and dignity". As communist forces gained control, his [[clergy]]men were increasingly subjected to arrest and persecution. To escape the arrests and persecutions, he attempted to leave the country together with seventy of his priests. Unfortunately, he did not succeed; they were all captured near Zidani Most. The priests were shot, and Metr. Joanikije was taken to Arandjelovac, where the communists viciously killed him. The site of his remains is still unknown.
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title=Metropolitan of Montenegro and Litoral|
after=Arsenije }}
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[[Category:Serbian Saints]]

Revision as of 10:41, June 10, 2008