In September 1791, during the renewal of Ottoman structures in northern Serbia after the Austro-Turkish War (1788–91), Methodius (Serbian: Metodije) was appointed the new Metropolitan of Belgrade after Dionysius had fled to Austria prior to the fall of Belgrade (Treaty of Sistova).[1] 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.[2] Apart from the Metropolitanate of Belgrade, he was given to manage almost all of the Eparchy of Vidin (which territory was under the governorship of Mustafa Pasha).[2] Methodius was murdered on 26 January 1801,[2] allegedly on Mustafa Pasha's orders.[3] Archimandrite Hadži-Ruvim however claimed that he was drowned "due to his lawlessness and wrongdoings" having been a tyrant.[3] Serbian historian Milenko Vukićević, most likely based on Lazar Batalaka (who did not cite a source), described him as a good-hearted elder, killed after his disciple Leontius falsely accused him of guilt to Mustafa Pasha.[4] It was later proved that the Dahije (renegade Janissaries) had him killed, as was done with Mustafa Pasha soon afterwards.[4] He was succeeded by Leontius.
