Petar I Petrović-Njegoš

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Petar I Petrović-Njegoš (Template:Langx; 1748 – 31 October 1830) was the Prince-Bishop of Montenegro from 1784 to 1830 and Exarch (legate) of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro. He was the most popular spiritual and military leader from the Petrović dynasty. During his long rule, Petar strengthened the state by uniting the often quarreling tribes, consolidating his control over Montenegrin lands, introducing the first laws in Montenegro in 1798.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His rule prepared Montenegro for the subsequent introduction of modern institutions of the state: taxes, schools and larger commercial enterprises. He was canonized by the Serbian Orthodox Church as Saint Peter of Cetinje (Template:Langx).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Early life

The son of Marko and Anđelija (née Martinović), Petar followed the footsteps of his relatives, becoming a monk and a deacon. He spent four years in Imperial Russia, finishing the Military School (1765–69). In 1778, archimandrite Petar was in Russia with guvernadur Jovan Radonjić and serdar Ivan Petrović.Template:Sfn Metropolitan Sava Petrović (s. 1735–1781), who died in 1781, chose his nephew and co-adjutor Arsenije Plamenac the successor,Template:Sfn which was met with opposition from the Montenegrin tribes at the beginning, later switching in favour after Sava gained the support of Šćepan Mali,<ref name=JCEA-1959-81>Template:Cite book</ref> the false tsar and ruler of Montenegro. Plamenac was inactive and had little power,Template:Sfn serving as metropolitan between 1781 and his death in 1784.<ref name=JCEA-1959-81/>Template:Sfn The guvernadur family of Radonjić, which had Venetian support and then Austrian, increased their power and sought to push aside the Petrović metropolitans.Template:Sfn The chieftains had suggested Petar the bishop seat already in 1783, and he was then sent to the Habsburg Monarchy to be ordained.Template:Sfn

Office

1784–99

Petar was made a bishop (ordained) by Mojsije Putnik of the Metropolitanate of Karlovci at Sremski Karlovci on 13 October 1784. He then returned to Vienna where he met Russian chancellor Potemkin, and also Austrian general Zorić and Ragusan emigre Frano Dolci.Template:Sfn Petar was, under unclear circumstances, kicked out of St. Petersburg in November 1785.Template:Sfn During his trip, Montenegro was threatened by Kara Mahmud Pasha, the Pasha of Scutari.Template:Sfn Mahmud Pasha attacked in June 1785.Template:Sfn The Montenegrin army of 8000 was reduced by 3,000 Crmničani, and they were followed by many more surrenders.Template:Sfn Mahmud Pasha crossed Bjelice, and burnt down Njeguši, and received help from Nikšići, then crossed Paštrovići to return to Scutari.<ref name="PlamenacBojović1997">Template:Cite book</ref>

The Metropolitan Petar I and guvernadur Jovan Radonjić were the two head chiefs of Montenegro, one by title, the other according to actual position.<ref>Template:Harvnb Template:Quote</ref> Jovan sought to rule Montenegro by himself; he appropriated secular rights for himself and wanted the Metropolitan to exercise only his spiritual leadership;<ref name=Brastvo32-91>Template:Cite book</ref> that the guvernadur was the master of the people and the Metropolitan the master of the church.Template:Sfn The two clashed in international politics: the Metropolitan held to Russia, while Jovan relied on Austria.<ref name=Brastvo32-91/>Template:Sfn Hence, there were two parties in the land, one "Russophile" and the other "Austrophile", led by the Metropolitan and Jovan, respectively.<ref name=Brastvo32-91/> On the question whether to support Austria or not, the two sides conflicted during the Austro-Turkish War (1787–91) and Russo-Turkish War (1787–92).<ref>Template:Harvnb </ref> During this period, Montenegro was divided into the following districts: Katunska nahija, Riječka nahija, Crmnička nahija, Lješanska nahija and Pješivačka nahija. These were governed by the officials, Jovan Radonjić and the Metropolitan, with the help of 5 serdars, 9 vojvodas and 34 knezes (a synthesis of secular and theocratic government which will cause strife and struggle for supremacy until 1832–33).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In July 1788, Jovan Radonjić asked Empress Catherine II of Russia to send Sofronije Jugović-Marković,<ref name="Đ1900">Template:Cite book</ref> whom he promised the throne of Montenegro; Jovan sought to bring him to the land and replace Petrović, then get rid of him too, securing the rule for himself.Template:Sfn He sent another letter in 1789,<ref name="Đ1900"/> then made a trip to Austria<ref name=ICG-442>Template:Harvnb</ref> seeking to retrieve his reputation with the help of the Austrian court.<ref name=ICG-442/> Radonjić requested that the Austrian army be sent into Montenegro, which was declined.<ref name=ICG-442/> On Radonjić's re-request, the Austrian Emperor decided to send munition to Montenegro in February 1790, provided that the Montenegrins "come under the wings of the Emperor in war-time, as much as in peace-time, with the Ottoman Empire".<ref name=ICG-442/> Austrian support looked unpromising.<ref name=ICG-442/>

In 1794, the Kuči and Rovčani (tribes outside Montenegro) were devastated by the Ottomans.<ref name=Barjaktarovic-28>Barjaktarović 1984, p. 28</ref> In 1796, Kara Mahmud Pasha was defeated at the Battle of Martinići. Mahmud Pasha later returned and was defeated and killed at the Battle of Krusi on 22 September. Half of the Montenegrin army was led by Metropolitan Petar I, the other by Jovan.<ref>Template:Harvnb Template:Quote</ref> Petar I's army was assisted by the Bjelopavlići and Piperi.<ref name=Barjaktarovic-28/> Mahmud Pasha's army, allegedly made up of 30,000, including seven French officers, fought a Montenegrin force of 6,000, and had heavy casualties. The Montenegrin victory resulted in territorial expansion, with the tribes of Bjelopavlići and Piperi being joined into the Montenegrin state.<ref name="Čulinović1954">Template:Cite book</ref> The Rovčani, as other highlander tribes, subsequently turned more and more towards Montenegro.<ref name=Barjaktarovic-29>Barjaktarović 1984, p. 29</ref>

The tribe of Njeguši to which the Petrović-Njegoš belonged was involved in one of the most long-standing blood feuds in Montenegro against the tribe of Ceklin in the 18th century. The feud lasted for 32 years and ended in 1797 in a joint meeting of all tribes of Old Montenegro under Petar Petrović. The pacification of the feud between two of the strongest tribes of the region is considered as an important step in Petar Petrović's strategy of uniting Old Montenegro.<ref name="Boehm">Template:Cite book</ref>

Metropolitan Petar I sent letters in 1799 to the Moračani and Rovčani, advising them to live peacefully and in solidarity.<ref name=Barjaktarovic-29/> In 1799, Montenegro was guaranteed a subsidy by Russia, which assured that it would defend its interest.Template:Sfn

1800–09

During the First Serbian Uprising Petar I began cooperating with Karađorđe, the Serbian rebel leader. Petar I had by that time distinguished himself in international relations, as the bishop and ruler of Montenegro. It was known that Petar was ready to revolt as soon as a favourable opportunity came along. Russian ambassador in Vienna, Razumovski, informed Interior Minister Czartoryski of a secret message received on 13 December 1803 that Petar I had 2,000 armed men, and that he "had taken off his bishop clothes and dressed in military clothing, a general uniform" and that he planned to raise his army to 12,000 men. Knowing that his army would not be able to fight the stronger Ottomans, he sought to unite with the "rebels of Šumadija", and together, with the help of the Russian, turn on the Turks. He messaged Visoki Dečani of his intentions.Template:Sfn Petar I was a pen pal of Dositej Obradović.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Petar I Petrović as a warrior (by French drawing)

In 1806, the troops of Napoleonic France advanced toward the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. The Montenegrin army led by Petar I, aided by several Russian battalions and the fleet of Admiral Dmitry Senyavin pushed them back to Dubrovnik. But soon after, Russian Tsar Alexander I asked Montenegrins to relinquish control of Boka to Austria. However, after Montenegrins retreated to Herceg Novi, Alexander changed his mind again, and with a help of Montenegrins conquered Brač and Korčula. In the meantime, France encouraged Turkey to attack Russia, which withdrew its fleet from the Adriatic to defend the Ionian islands. The Treaty of Tilsit (1807) between Russia and France granted the control of the Bay of Kotor to France. In early 1807, Petar had plans to unite several Serb-inhabited regions into a renewed Serbian Empire. In February 1807, Petar I planned an invasion of Herzegovina and asked for Karađorđe's aid.Template:Sfn After the Battle of Suvodol and Serbian rebel advance, Karađorđe managed connecting the rebel forces to Montenegro (1809).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> However, Karađorđe was unable to hold lasting ties with the Serbs of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as after 1809 the uprising waned.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

1810–20

Petar I waged a successful campaign against the Bosnia Eyalet in 1819. In 1820, in the north of Montenegro, the highlanders from Morača led by serdar Mrkoje Mijušković won a major battle against the Ottoman Bosnian forces. The repulse of an Ottoman invasion from Albania during the Russo-Turkish War (1828–29) led to the recognition of Montenegrin sovereignty over Piperi.Template:Sfn Petar I had managed to unite the Piperi and Bjelopavlići with Montenegro,Template:Sfn and when Bjelopavlići and the rest of the Hills (Seven hills) were joined into the Montenegrin state, the polity was officially called "Black Mountain (Montenegro) and the Hills".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Pan-Serbism

Petar I conceived a plan in 1807 to revive a Serbian Empire ("Slaveno–Serb empire"), which he informed the Russian court.<ref name=JM>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=Oslobodjenje>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Earlier, in June 1804, Habsburg Serb metropolitan Stefan Stratimirović informed the Russian court of the same plan.<ref name="Поповић1933">Template:Cite book</ref> Petar I's plan was to unite Podgorica, Spuž, Žabljak, the Bay of Kotor, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Dubrovnik and Dalmatia with Montenegro.<ref name=JM/> The title of Serbian emperor would be held by the Russian emperor.<ref name=JM/> The French–Russian peace treaty thwarted the plan.<ref name=JM/> After the French conquered Dalmatia, they offered Petar I the title of "Patriarch of all of the Serb nation or all Illyricum" under the condition that he stop cooperation with Russia and accept a French protectorate, which he declined, fearing eventual Papal jurisdiction.<ref name=Oslobodjenje/> The Metropolitanate of Cetinje began exerting influence towards Brda and Old Herzegovina, which considered Montenegro as the leader for liberation.<ref name=Oslobodjenje/> While his reputation and influence reached the surrounding lands, he increasingly directed himself to Revolutionary Serbia as the backbone for liberation and unification.<ref name=Oslobodjenje/> The project is included in several historiographical works.

Canonisation

Orthodox icon of Petar as a saint.

He was canonised as Saint Peter of Cetinje by his successor Petar II Petrović-Njegoš. The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrate him on October 31, Gregorian calendar, which is October 18th in the Julian calendar.

Works

• The Lore in Verse (Поучење у стиховима)
• The Sons of Ivan-bey (Синови Иванбегови)
• Poem to Karageorge (Пјесма Карађорђу)
• To Serb Christmas Eve (Српско Бадње вече)
• Short History of Montenegro (Кратка Историја Црнe Горe)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Sources

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External links

• Свети Петар Цетињски: Житије, дјело, молитва
• Speeches to Montenegrins before battles against Turks on Martinici and on Krusi, 1796
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