Thousands took to the streets of the small town of Cetinje, in Montenegro, to protest against the inauguration of a new head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the country.

Demonstrators used burning tires, rocks and vehicles to block a road to prevent entry to the city of Cetinje, where Bishop Joanikije was due to become the Metropolitan of Montenegro and Archbishop of Cetinje.

While the Serbian Orthodox Church is the dominant religion in the country, critics believe it serves the interest of Belgrade, from which Montenegro gained independence in 2006.

Although the country gained autonomy, its church remained under the Serbian Orthodox Church. 

Opponents believe the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) played a role in overthrowing President Milo Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists, which ruled Montenegro for three decades, in last year's election, which ushered in a new pro-Serb and pro-Russian government, led by SPC allies. 

"We are on the barricades today because we are fed up with Belgrade denying our nation, and telling us what are our religious rights," Andjela Ivanovic told Reuters. 

"All religious objects [churches] built in Montenegro belong to people here and to the state of Montenegro."

Many waved the nation's flag while shouting "This is not Serbia!" and "Long live Montenegro."

Djukanovic had been advocating for an independent Orthodox Church in Montenegro and has been backing up the protests during the weekend.

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic described attacks on police in Cetinje as "an act of terrorism."

He accused Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists of organizing the protests.

Djukanovic's adviser Veselin Veljovic was arrested for participating in an attack against police on Sunday, state TV reported.

The EU special envoy for Montenegro, Tonino Picula, said that the rising tensions were worrying.

Orthodox top cleric Joanikije II is succeeding his predecessor Amfilohije, who died in October after contracting COVID-19, as the new leader of the nation's church.

Late on Saturday, police used tear gas to disperse the protesters to avoid them holding the barricades through the night.

The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije, has flown in from Serbia to attend the ceremony.

Both were flown into the monastery where the inauguration ceremony will take place by helicopter, avoiding the protests on the streets.

Video editor: Natalia Luz

_{Cover image: REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic}