Јоаникије, митрополит рашко-призренски
Joanikije, Metropolitan of the Raško-prizrenska Metropolis

Summary/Abstract: Metropolitan Joanikije was born in 1731 in Tulež in central Serbia. His life before the ascent to episcopal rank is scarcely known, but it is certain that he became a monk as a young man. It is not possible to determine precisely to which monastery he belonged, but his links with Studenica, as well as the links of his close relatives with the same monastery, are suggesting that he could have become a monk in it. As a monk, he received a good education and learned Greek, probably while staying for some time in the areas inhabited by the Greeks. He became a bishop between 1766 and 1779, when he was appointed vicar bishop of the Dabro-bosanska metropolis. He became the Metropolitan of Prizren in 1780 or 1781, and of Raška in 1784. He administered both dioceses from 1790, which was confirmed by sultan’s decree in 1808. As a bishop, he was endowed by diplomatic skill and patience. In his contacts with the central government, he succeeded to protect the rights of his Orthodox Christians, but also to maintain good relationship with Muslims. He died in Prizren, on November 26th 1818.

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