Methodius, Metropolitan of Belgrade
In September 1791, during the renewal of Ottoman structures in northern Serbia after the Austro-Turkish War, Methodius was appointed the new Metropolitan of Belgrade after Dionysius had fled to Austria prior to the fall of Belgrade. 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.
