Mihailo Jovanović (metropolitan)

Mihailo Jovanović (Serbian Cyrillic: Михаило Јовановић; 19 August 1826 – 7 February 1898) was the Metropolitan of Belgrade and head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Principality and Kingdom of Serbia from 1859 to 1898.

Born in Sokobanja, Jovanović studied at the Belgrade Higher School (Velika škola) and later in Vienna and Munich. He was ordained a priest in 1849 and served as a professor at the Belgrade Seminary before being elected Metropolitan.

During his tenure, Metropolitan Mihailo oversaw significant reforms within the Serbian Orthodox Church, including improvements in education for clergy and laity, the establishment of new seminaries, and the promotion of Serbian national identity. He also played a role in the political life of Serbia, often advocating for greater autonomy and independence from the Ottoman Empire.

He was known for his strong pro-Russian sentiments and his efforts to strengthen ties between the Serbian and Russian Orthodox Churches. He was temporarily deposed in 1881 due to his strained relationship with King Milan I of Serbia, who favored closer ties with Austria-Hungary. After King Milan's abdication in 1889, Metropolitan Mihailo was reinstated to his position.

Mihailo Jovanović died in Belgrade in 1898. He is remembered as an important figure in the modern history of the Serbian Orthodox Church and a key contributor to Serbian national identity.