It is with profound sadness that we inform the colleagues and friends of the Institute for Byzantine Studies of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts that Academician and Professor Emeritus Ljubomir Maksimović passed away on 6 November, 2026. He was one of the students of George Ostrogorsky and he contributed greatly to the international reputation of Serbian Byzantine Studies through his outstanding scholarly work. Academician Maksimović served as Head of the Chair and Seminar for Byzantine Studies, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, and was the first scholar to be awarded the title of Professor Emeritus at the Belgrade University. His scholarly work and personal dedication were instrumental in the selection of Belgrade as a host city of the 23rd International Congress of Byzantine Studies, held in August 2016. In recognition of his exceptional contribution to Byzantine studies and international scholarly cooperation, he was appointed Honorary President for Life of the Serbian Committee for Byzantine Studies and Honorary Vice-President of the International Association of Byzantine Studies (AIEB).
As Director of the Institute for Byzantine Studies of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (1998–2022) and long-standing Editor of the Zbornik radova Vizantološkog instituta (ZRVI), he devoted himself tirelessly to preserving and advancing the Institute, while fostering the scholarly development of successive generations of researchers. He remained deeply committed to the Institute until the very end of his life, serving as President of its Scientific Council from 2023 to 2026.
As a member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, he held numerous positions of distinction, most notably those of Secretary of the Academy’s Department of Historical Sciences (2011–2015 and 2024–2026) and Vice-President of the Academy (2015–2023).
We shall cherish the memory of Professor Ljubomir Maksimović, our colleague, teacher, and friend, with the deepest respect and affection. His unwavering support was something upon which we could always rely. Possessed of extraordinary erudition, he had a remarkable ability to inspire his colleagues and bring out the very best in them. His scholarly legacy and selfless dedication will forever remain an integral part of the history of the Institute for Byzantine Studies of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
