Hierarch
Hierarch Peter I Petrović-Njegoš, Metropolitan of Cetinje
1748 — 1830
Also known as: Пётр I Черногорский
Saint Peter I Petrović-Njegoš, Metropolitan of Cetinje — head of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and de facto ruler of Montenegro for 46 years, who united the feuding tribes, issued the first written legal code, and repelled Ottoman and Napoleonic incursions.
DATE CORRECTION: the previous date "October 19" was off by one day — the correct date, confirmed by several independent sources, is October 18/31. HONEST DISTINCTION: to be distinguished from his nephew and successor, Metropolitan Peter II Petrović-Njegoš (1813–1851), the famous poet-prince, author of "The Mountain Wreath," who is himself NOT canonized.
Saint Peter I was born in the village of Njeguši into the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty, nephew of Metropolitan Daniel I. He was consecrated bishop in 1784 at Sremski Karlovci. He united the feuding Montenegrin tribes, worked to end blood feuds, and issued Montenegro's first written legal code in 1798, followed by an expanded 17-article "Zakonik" in 1803.
He led the successful defense of Montenegro against Ottoman forces, winning decisive victories at Martinići and Krusi in 1796 (where the Ottoman commander Mahmud-paša Bušatlija was killed), and later resisted Napoleonic incursions. He combined spiritual and secular authority, laying the foundations of the modern Montenegrin state.
He died at Cetinje Monastery in 1830. In 1834 his nephew and successor, Metropolitan Peter II, opened the tomb and found the relics incorrupt, initiating widespread veneration. He was canonized by the Serbian Orthodox Church.