Херцеговачки митрополити 1766-1878.
Herzegovina Metropolitans, 1766-1878

Summary/Abstract: Following the abolishment of the autocephaly of the Peć Patriarchate, there were changes in the Herzegovina Metropolitan. Instead of the Serb bishops, it was headed by Metropolitans named by the Great Church in Istanbul, in a long time period, until 1888. There were no Serbs among ten Metropolitans at the time. There were seven Greeks, and three Bulgarians. It was possible to follow lives of some of them, based on less known, or hitherto unpublished sources, and even after they have left the Herzegovina Metropolitan. They fulfilled their spiritual mission in often difficult circumstances, for both Christians and Muslims in the area often rebelled, the former ones to free themselves of the Ottoman rule, and the latter, to prevent any reforms that would lead to strengthening of the role of central authorities, or introduction of European influences. That is why some Metropolitans were frequently arrested, and later released for ransom, while believers criticized them for not supporting enough their striving for freedom. There were also some among them, who did not abstain from illegally demanding money from their priests and believers, for the Eparchy and themselves were in increasing debts. However, this cannot be generalized for all Metropolitans, as sometimes occurred in Serb historiography. Following the change of geopolitical situation and the occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary in 1878, the conditions of the functioning of the Orthodox Church were changed significantly.

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