Serbian Orthodox Church

Along with Easter, Christmas is one of the two greatest Christian holidays.
It is the day when the Christian world celebrates the birth of Christ and when, according to the belief, the spirit of Jesus is omnipresent among people, bringing them peace and forgiveness.

He stated that the people won the elections, and that the clergy contributed to that victory to some extent. "It is clear to every normal person why we do not do that. If we would not allow the government to determine when we will be ordained to the rank of priest, then we should not interfere in government personnel decisions," Bishop Joanikije told today's Politika.

According to the latest information, seven people were killed, including two children. There are two Serbs among them, said the president of the Serbian National Council, Milorad Pupovac.

The Montenegrin ruling coalition MPs adopted the changes to the Law on Religious freedom, while the opposition boycotted the session.

Supporters of so-called patriotic organisations in Montenegro protested on Monday in the capital Podgorica against the new government's proposals to change the hotly disputed Freedom of Religion law, erasing all elements opposed by the powerful Serbian Orthodox Church.

This decision was made by the Holy Synod of Bishops as the supreme canonical authority in the Church, authorized to schedule sessions of the highest church body.

Montenegrin Justice, Human and Minority Rights Minister Vladimir Leposavic at a press conference. Photo: Government of Montenegro

On Friday, the new government proposed changes erasing the main bone of contention - an obligation on religious communities to provide clear evidence of ownership in order to retain their properties.

New Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic (L) and former PM Dusko Markovic (D) at a meeting in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

New Montenegrin Government session in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

On Monday Radulovic said the government won't lift sanctions on Russia because Montenegro must respect European Union rules if it wants to join the Union.

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic in the Montenegrin parliament. Photo: Parliament of Montenegro

The leader of the "For the Future of Montenegro" bloc, Zdravko Krivokapic, was elected Prime Minister by 41 votes in the 81-seat chamber. MPs elected the leader of the Black on White coalition, Dritan Abazovic, as Deputy Prime Minister.