Atanasije Jevtić

Atanasije Jevtić, born in 1938, was a prominent figure in the Serbian Orthodox Church, serving as a bishop for the Eparchy of Banat and later the Eparchy of Zachlumia, Herzegovina, and the Littoral. Before his episcopal service, he had a distinguished academic career as a long-time professor and former dean at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the University of Belgrade. He was recognized as a leading authority on Patristics, the study of early Christian theological writings.

Jevtić's scholarly contributions included numerous books on theological subjects. He also collaborated with Bishop Amfilohije Radović on the Serbian translation of the Deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament. His academic and ecclesiastical roles, coupled with his significant body of work, led some to consider his passing in 2021 as potentially marking the conclusion of a notable era in theology. He received recognition for his contributions from various ecclesiastical and state entities.

Atanasije Jevtić dedicated a substantial part of his academic and ecclesiastical career to the study of Patristics, the writings of the early Church Fathers. He was recognized as a leading expert in this field, authoring a series of books that explored these foundational theological texts. His academic work at the University of Belgrade's Orthodox Theological Faculty, where he served as both professor and dean, provided a platform for disseminating his knowledge. This focus on Patristics suggests a deep engagement with the historical development of Christian thought and doctrine, particularly within the Eastern Orthodox tradition. His scholarly output aimed to illuminate the theological heritage passed down from the early centuries of Christianity.

Jevtić's active involvement in the Serbian Orthodox Church included his consecration as Bishop of Banat in 1991, followed by his appointment as Bishop of Zachlumia, Herzegovina, and the Littoral in 1992. He served in these episcopal roles until his retirement in 1999. Additionally, he briefly took on the responsibility of administrator for the Eparchy of Raška and Prizren in 2010, following the resignation of Bishop Artemije Radosavljević. This period of service involved significant pastoral and administrative duties within the Church hierarchy, overseeing dioceses and contributing to the Church's governance and spiritual leadership.