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The Serbian Orthodox Church has canonized historical figures from the World War II era whose legacies are highly contested. Among them are Montenegrin priest Slobodan Šiljak, proclaimed a saint in 2005 despite local protests and allegations of involvement in wartime atrocities, and Metropolitan Joanikije Lipovac, executed in 1945 after collaboration with Axis-aligned forces and later canonized in 1999.

Critics argue that honoring such figures raises moral and historical concerns, as canonization may appear to overlook alleged connections to fascist movements or wartime violence. While neither individual was tried and convicted as a war criminal in an international tribunal, their elevation to sainthood remains controversial in parts of the Western Balkans.

References

• Milic, Predrag. “Serbian Church Clerics in Montenegro Inflame Passions by Glorifying War Criminals.” Balkan Insight, July 15, 2025. This report covers criticism of Serbian Orthodox clerics praising WWII‑era figures linked to collaboration and revisionist narratives, highlighting controversies over canonization and public memory.
  
• “URA: The Glorification of Pavle Đurišić and Joanikije Lipovac Is an Attempt to Revise History and Negate the Anti‑Fascist Struggle of Montenegro.” Vijesti.me, May 4, 2025. Covers local political criticism of glorifying or venerating WWII collaborators, including mention of Metropolitan Joanikije Lipovac’s praise for wartime figures associated with occupiers.
  
• Balkanweb.com. “From Praise to Decoration and Canonization! The Serbian Church’s Approach to War Criminals in Kosovo.” Balkanweb.com, May 18, 2025. This article discusses the broader trend of the Serbian Orthodox Church venerating controversial figures such as Slobodan Šiljak despite protests that they were involved in wartime crimes.