Metropolitan Bishop
Born on June 24, 1866, in Grahovo (Herzegovina) to a priest and national hero, Bogdan Zimonić. He participated in the Herzegovinian uprising of 1875-1878. He received his education at a theological seminary and at the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Chernivtsi. Since 1893, he worked at a theological school in Reljevo, where he was beloved by the seminarians.
On September 6, 1895, he took monastic vows with the name Peter, and was subsequently ordained as a hierodeacon and hieromonk. In 1901, he was appointed consistory advisor of the Dabar-Bosnian Metropolis, and in 1903, he was elevated to archimandrite.
On May 27, 1903, he was elected as the Metropolitan of Zahumlje-Herzegovina. He restored the diocese and fought for Serbian autonomy in education. He built numerous churches and organized Serbian schools. During World War I, he remained at his see, helping pastors and believers.
From 1918, he actively worked towards the unification of the Serbian Orthodox Church. After the death of Metropolitan Eugenije in 1920, he was elected as the Metropolitan of Dabar-Bosnia. He continued to preach peace and good neighborliness, earning respect among Muslims and Catholics.
During his tenure, many new churches were built. In 1941, after Germany's attack on Yugoslavia, Metropolitan Peter stayed with the people despite threats. He was arrested on May 12, 1941, and tortured in concentration camps. His fate remains unknown, but he accepted a martyr's death for Christ.
His memory lives on in the hearts of the faithful. In 1982, his successor noted his virtue and authority. In 1998, he was glorified among the ranks of holy martyrs. Several churches have been built in his honor.
