Герасим Домнин, Ужичко-Ваљевски Митрополит (1816-1831)

Nedeljko, Radosavljević

Историјски часопис

54

167

188

0350-0802

https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=575695

2007-2020/03/09/13:22:29

The Metropolitan Gerasim Domnin, by origin a Greek from Trapesunt, came to the head of the Užice-Valjevo Archdiocese in 1816, following the murder of Melentije Nikšić. Although he had several clashes with Prince Miloš over the amount and the ways of collecting the church revenue, Gerasim had good relations with him. Complaints of priests against him were not always founded, and they were motivated by secular reasons. At the time of the Greek uprising in 1821, as well as while it lasted, the Metropolitan sent epistles, calling the believers to peace. He was well educated, and besides Greek, also spoke Turkish and Serbian. Understanding the importance of education, Gerasim Domnin suggested the establishment of a theological school, and supported opening of the schools throughout his archdiocese. He was dedicated to bringing order into the priesthood, punished transgressors, and prevented abuses in getting parishes, forced marriages, and non-canonical fourth marriages. When the Princedom of Serbia was formed in 1830, Gerasim Domnin was not in his eparchy, and already in 1831, he became the Metropolitan of Mirlichia and member of the Ecumenical Patriarchy. Gerasim Domnin was the last Metropolitan of Valjevo-Užice, as the archdiocese was after his departure divided into two smaller eparchies, Užice and Šabac. He died in Istanbul in 1836, under unclear circumstances. His mandate was characterized by a great rebuilding of the church life, which is partly a result of the changed situation after the Second Serbian Uprising, but partly a result of his actions.