METROPOLITAN MIHAILO (JOVANOVIĆ) AND PROVINCES OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

The authors of this article examine the relations of Metropolitan Mihailo (Jovanović) of Belgrade with the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Recognizing the fact that the Metropolitan was supportive for the idea of liberation of all Serbs from Ottoman rule and their unification in one single nation state, the Ottoman ruled provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina were, without exception, the focus of his attention and actions. He especially proved this during the Serb uprisings in the periods 1852–1862, 1875–1878 and in 1882. Politically, the Metropolitan supported co-operation with Russia. As such his determination in the period when Serbia was relying on Austro-Hungary caused him difficulties, resulting in his dismissal in 1881. After return to Serbia he was reappointed as Metropolitan in 1889 and continued his work for nationhood, but did so by paying attention to Old Serbia and Macedonia rather than to the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.