NIĆIFOR PERIĆ METROPOLITAN OF RAŠKA-PRIZREN AND SKENDERIJA (1901–1911)

Abstract

The paper presents biographical data on Nićifor Perić, Metropolitan of Raška-Prizren and Skenderija. It analyzes his role of a religious leader, who also had jurisdiction in the marital and partly hereditary law. A special focus is put on his work concerning the establishment of important church institutions and funds. The paper explains his relationship towards education and one part focuses on the issue of the monastery of Visoki Dečani, especially when the foundation of the Committee for debt settlement and stay of Russian monks there is concerned. The paper also explains the nature of the Metropolitan’s misunderstandings both with the Ottoman authorities and the authorities of the Kingdom of Serbia, because he did not yield in his firm attitude concerning the preservation of church privileges, including the authority over schools. Another focus is on the relationship of the Great Church (Ecumenical Patriarchate) with Metropolitan Nićifor and the events that took place during his rule in the Raška-Prizren and Skenderija Metropolitanate.