Sofronije Podgoričanin was born in Podgorica in what is now Montenegro but was then part of the Ottoman Empire. He joined the monastic order as a youngster at a monastery and after completing his theological studies in Peć, joined the clergy.
In 1703 the Hungarians, under the leadership of Transylvanian Prince Francis II Rákóczi, rebelled against the Austrians, demanding Hungarian independence from the Habsburg monarchy. Vienna then eased the pressure on the Serbs, hoping to pacify them because of Austria's need for assistance in dealings with Hungary. Patriarch Arsenije III replaced the Uniate Bishop of Pakrac with Bishop Sofronije Podgoričanin, in 1705.[1][page needed] The following year, Patriarch Arsenije III sent the Austrian Emperor a written request that the Serbian Orthodox church, political, economic and military rights be spared further restrictions. In 1706, Emperor Joseph I (1705-1711) reconfirmed the privileges granted Serbs by Leopold I.
The second Krušedol sabor of 1710 in order to elect a replacement for Isaija Đaković who died in 1708.[4][clarification needed] Newly elected Metropolitan Sofronije Podgoričanin was prevented by the Austrians from swearing allegiance to the Peć Patriarch. However, Patriarch Kalinik I (1691-1710) gave his blessings as well as an official scroll confirming the Metropolitan of Krušedol, and at the same time, extended a form of autonomy to him and his See. Despite Vienna's meddling in Serb affairs, the Serb Orthodox slowly entrenched their communal organizations and settled themselves permanently. Podgoričanin's early death prompted the calling a third assembly (sabor) in April 1713, in Sremski Karlovci. For two years, the Church was leaderless until Vikentije Popović-Hadžilavić (1713-1725) was elected.