Rufim Njeguš ( sr-Cyrl, Руфим Његуш; 1594–1631) was the
Metropolitan of Cetinje between 1594 and 1636. He succeeded the Metropolitan duo of Nikanor and Stevan (s. 1591–93). Rufim Njeguš and Metropolitan
Visarion of Trebinje (s. 1590–1602) aided the
Banat Uprising (1594). In 1595
Francesco Antonio Bertucci
Francesco Antonio Bertucci ( sh, Franjo Antun Brtučević, fl. 1595), was a Dalmatian Capuchin and Knight Hospitaller of disputed origin who served as the titular prior of the commandry of the Order at the monastery located in Vrana, a town in pr ...
tried to convince Rufim to accept union with the Catholic Church.
He was succeeded by
Mardarije Kornečanin
Mardarije Kornečanin ( sr-Cyrl, Мардарије Корнечанин; 1625–59) was an Eastern Orthodox bishop in Montenegro and Primorje, serving as the Metropolitan of Cetinje from 1637 to 1659, under the jurisdiction of the Serbian Patr ...
(s. 1637–59). Rufim is famous as being the first metropolitan who actively took part in armed confrontations with the
Ottoman Empire, leading Montenegrin army in three major battles in 1601, 1604 and 1613.
Battle of Lješkopolje (1604)
Sanjak-bey of
Shkodër
Shkodër ( , ; sq-definite, Shkodra) is the fifth-most-populous city of the Republic of Albania and the seat of Shkodër County and Shkodër Municipality. The city sprawls across the Plain of Mbishkodra between the southern part of Lake Shkod ...
Ali-beg Mimibegović led an army of 12,000 from
Podgorica and clashed with 400 Montenegrins in
Lješanska nahija
Lješanska nahija ( sr-cyr, Љешанска нахија) is a historical region in eastern Montenegro. It was a ''nahija'' (sub-district) of the Ottoman Empire. In the administration of the Principality of Montenegro, the nahija was part of Old M ...
. Rufim reinforced them with 500 Katunjani during the day and sent dozens of small three-members groups, in total amount of 50 warriors to spy and to attack the opponent from rear. The battle lasted through whole night, when at the dawn Montenegrins launched a sudden charge surprising the enemy. Ali-beg was wounded and retreated with 3,500 casualties, while his second-in-command Šaban Ćehaja was killed.
Battle of Kosov lug (1613)
Towards the end of September newly appointed Sanjak-bey of Shkodër Arslan-bey Balićević renewed attacks on Montenegrins, splitting his forces in two, and task