Despite the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral’s call for reconciliation, the St. Sava Academy, held tonight in the Mediterranean Sports Center in Budva, once again highlighted the rifts within the pro-Serbian political bloc in Budva.

The Deputy Mayor of the Municipality and leader of the political group “Budva Our City,” Nikola Jovanović, was absent from the ceremony. However, his political rival, Mladen Mikijelj, leader of the “For the Future of Budva” list, occupied a prominent position in the front row. Alongside him were Nemanja Kuljača, a party colleague, former Mayor Veselin Marković, and former Deputy Mayor Jasna Dokić, sitting next to ex-Mayor Marko Bata Carević. The event was also attended by Dragana Kažanegra Stanišić, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior.

Aside from Jovanović, there were no representatives from the local administration or any officials from “Budva Our City” present at the St. Sava Academy.

Although the Municipality intended to sponsor the academy, the Metropolitanate declined the financial support.

Specifically, during the last session, Jovanović authorized a sponsorship of 7,000 euros to the Serbian Orthodox Church in Budva.

However, complications emerged after Jovanović shared a video on his Facebook profile showing him signing to approve the 7,000 euros, even though the church had requested only 6,000 euros for the event’s organization.

The Deputy Mayor also conveyed a message to his former party colleagues from the “For the Future of Budva” coalition, asserting that he was not a traitor to the Serbian idea or the canonical church, despite their prior accusations after Jovanović indicated he was open to receiving minority support for forming a government, including the Democratic Party of Socialists.

The Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church quickly reacted, stating they did not wish to accept the funds Jovanović had approved for organizing the St. Sava Academy, as they preferred not to be involved in “discord and political conflicts.”

“We urge all political actors in Budva to resolve their disagreements with brotherly love, for the benefit of all its citizens, as Saint Sava has taught us,” the Serbian Orthodox Church proclaimed at that time.

The St. Sava Academy at the Mediterranean Sports Center was organized by the Bishopric of Budva.

Bishop Paisius of the Diocletian’s SPC addressed attendees, as the program highlighted the significance of the holiday and commemorated major anniversaries this year: 1,700 years since the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, 850 years since the birth of Saint Sava, and 180 years since the construction and 100 years since the renovation of the Njegoš Chapel on Lovćen.

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