Methodius, Metropolitan of Belgrade
Methodius was the Metropolitan of Belgrade from 1791 to 1801. He served during the return of Ottoman rule to central Serbia following the Austro-Turkish War (1788–91).
Metropolitan of Belgrade Dionysius fled to Austria at the end of the Austro-Turkish War, prior to the fall of Belgrade. The Ecumenical Patriarchate ordained Methodius his successor in September 1791, when the Ottomans returned their sovereignty to northern Serbia. Methodius was described as cleverful in church and political matters, and was obliged by the Patriarchate of Constantinople to cooperate with Hadji Mustafa Pasha, the Vizier of Belgrade. Apart from the Metropolitanate of Belgrade, he was given to manage almost all of the Eparchy of Vidin. Methodius was murdered on 26 January 1801, allegedly on Mustafa Pasha's orders. Archimandrite Hadži-Ruvim however claimed that he was drowned "due to his lawlessness and wrongdoings", having been a tyrant. Serbian historian Milenko Vukićević, most likely based on Lazar Batalaka, described him as a good-hearted elder, killed after his disciple Leontius falsely accused him of guilt to Mustafa Pasha. It was later proved that the Dahije had him killed, as was done with Mustafa Pasha soon afterwards. He was succeeded by Leontius, his disciple.