Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Coastlands Amfilohije will appear in court Thursday in Podgorica, before magistrate Larisa Begovic to face charges of hate speech.

The trial was originally scheduled for June 9, but the inquest was postponed due to Metropolitan's absence, who at the time when he was served with subpoena was attending the SPC Holy Assembly of Bishops.

The offence procedure against the Metropolitan was instituted, after it has been determined that his address to the Orthodox believers and public, regarding the placing of the church made of tin on Rumija (mountain) near Bar ( coastal town in Montenegro) and the Montenegrin language, was repleted with hate speech.

“He who tears down that temple, may God judge him and his offspring,” Amfilohije said on Christmas in Podgorica, as a response to the threats that the small church on Rumija may be pulled down.

Leader of the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic proposed a unification of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the canonically unrecognized Montenegrin Orthodox Church.

In an interview for the state television, he said that the present divisions within the church are detrimental to the country's stability.