Milanovic visits Serb Orthodox clergy following Metropolitan's death

Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic visited the head office of the Serb Orthodox Church in Zagreb on Friday to offer his condolences on the death of Metropolitan Jovan Pavlovic, who died on Thursday at the age of 78.

Milanovic met with Bishop Fotije of Dalmatia, the current administrator of the Metropolitanate of Zagreb and Ljubljana, and other priests, but did not speak to the press.

Bishop Fotije said that the death of Metropolitan Jovan was a great loss not just for the Metropolitanate, but for the Serb Orthodox Church as a whole. "We are all hurt by his death, it's a great loss for us all," he told the press before Milanovic's arrival.

The head of the Serb Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej, is expected to come to Zagreb together with several members of the Holy Synod to pay their last respects.

The Metropolitan wrote in his last will and testament that he wished to be buried in the crypt of the Church of the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord in central Zagreb. The question of his successor will be dealt with at a synod scheduled for May 15 in Belgrade.

(Hina)



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