THE CHURCH-NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS FROM 1749

Abstract

After the death of Metropolitan Isaije Antonović on 22 January 1749, the throne of Karlovci Metropolitanate remained vacant again, only after five months. Bishops immediately began to prepare the new Church-National Assembly, deciding to entrust the administration for the third time, at the time of sedysvacant, to the Bishop of Bačka, Visarion Pavlović. The Imperial Commissioner Baron General Christian von Helfrich, opened the Assembly on 23 July 1749, and two days later there was elected the new Bishop of Karlovci, Carlstadt Bishop Paul Nenadović. In addition to the election of Metropolitan, the Assembly passed a number of useful decisions for the Serbian people, for example, the Clerical fund was established, the monastic rules of the Metropolitan Vićentije Jovanović were strengthened, and the first Assembly organization was brought. As it was a custom, there were brought charges which reflected the situation of the Serbian nation within the Habsburg monarchy, testifying the violation of Privileges, which were confirmed by all the Habsburg rulers from Leopold I to Maria Theresa. Resolving the issue of debts, Episcopal consecration, the right to appoint the administrator, etc. it also found its place. In parallel to the Assembly, the Synod of Bishops was working as well, which brought important decisions for the spiritual life, but also decisions regarding the issue of reduction of episcopacies.