Serbian Orthodox Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  Serbian Orthodox Church |
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| Српска православна црква Srpska pravoslavna crkva |
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| Abbreviation | SOC, СПЦ, SPC |
| Classification | Eastern Orthodox |
| Orientation | Serbian Orthodoxy |
| Scripture | Septuagint, New Testament |
| Theology | Eastern Orthodox theology |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Governance | Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church |
| Structure | Communion |
| Primate | Patriarch Porfirije |
| Bishops | 44 |
| Parishes | 3,100 |
| Associations | World Council of Churches |
| Language | Church Slavonic, Serbian |
| Liturgy | Byzantine Rite |
| Headquarters | Building of the Patriarchate, Belgrade; traditionally Patriarchate of Peć |
| Territory | Europe (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Slovenia, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Romania, Bulgaria, Austria, Switzerland) America (Canada, United States of America, South America), Oceania (Australia, New Zealand) |
| Possessions | Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric |
| Founder | Saint Sava |
| Origin | 1219 Kingdom of Serbia |
| Independence | 1219–1463 1557–1766 1879–present |
| Recognition | 1219 (Autocephalous archbishopric) 1346 (Autocephalous Patriarchate) 1557 (Autocephalous Patriarchate) 1879 (Autocephalous metropolis) 1922 (Autocephalous Patriarchate) |
| Separations | Macedonian Orthodox Church Montenegrin Orthodox Church |
| Members | 8 to 12 million |
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The Serbian Orthodox Church (Serbian: Српска православна црква, Srpska pravoslavna crkva) is a major Eastern Orthodox Christian church. It is "autocephalous," which means it is fully independent and makes its own decisions.
Most people in Serbia, Montenegro, and the Republika Srpska part of Bosnia and Herzegovina are members of this church. It has different regions called metropolitanates and eparchies, mainly in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia. There are also groups of followers in other parts of the world where Serbs live. The leader of the church is called the Serbian Patriarch. The current Patriarch is Porfirije, who became leader in 2021.
The church became independent in 1219, thanks to Saint Sava. It was first known as the Archbishopric of Žiča. Later, in 1346, it became a patriarchate, called the Serbian Patriarchate of Peć. The Ottoman Empire ended this patriarchate in 1766. However, parts of the church continued to exist, like the Metropolitanate of Karlovci in the Habsburg monarchy. When Serbia became a country again, the church regained its independence in 1879. The modern Serbian Orthodox Church was formed in 1920, bringing together different church regions.
Contents
- History of the Serbian Orthodox Church
- Followers of the Church
- Church Structure
- Beliefs and Services
- Art and Architecture
- Church Symbols
- See also
History of the Serbian Orthodox Church
Early Christian Beginnings
Christianity began to spread in southeastern Europe in the 1st century. Early Christian saints like Florus and Laurus were killed in the 2nd century. Bishop Irenaeus of Sirmium was also killed in 304. Emperor Constantine the Great (306–337), who was born in Niš in Serbia, was the first Christian ruler of the Roman Empire. Many important bishops lived in what is now Serbia during the 4th century.
In 395, the Roman Empire split into two parts. The eastern part became the Byzantine Empire. In 535, Emperor Justinian I created the Archbishopric of Justiniana Prima in his hometown near modern Lebane in Serbia. This church region covered all the provinces of Diocese of Dacia. By the 7th century, invaders like the Avars and Slavs destroyed the church order in the area. Church life started again in the same century, as Serbs and other Slavs became more Christian.
How Serbs Became Christian
The story of the early medieval Serbian Principality is found in a book called De Administrando Imperio. This book was written by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (who ruled from 913–959). It says that the Serbs were protected by Emperor Heraclius (who ruled from 610–641). The book also says that Serbs were always under the Emperor's rule.
According to this book, Serbs were first baptized in Rome around 632–638. This might have been for a small group of leaders. From the 7th to the mid-9th century, Serbs were influenced by the Roman Church. By the 870s, early medieval Serbs were known as Christians. However, the process of becoming fully Christian continued until the late 9th century.
Emperor Basil I worked to gain control over all the Slavic peoples in the region. Basil I likely sent a message to Mutimir of Serbia. Mutimir decided to stay connected with the Patriarchate of Constantinople. This happened even though Pope John VIII asked him to return to the bishopric of Sirmium in 873.
Some historians believe the Eparchy of Ras was founded during Mutimir's rule. This bishopric was in Ras at the church of Saint Apostles Peter and Paul. However, other historians say there is no mention of a bishopric in Serbia at that time. The earliest mention of the Bishopric of Ras is in a document from 1020. It says it belonged to the Bulgarian autocephalous church.
With Serbs becoming Christian in the 9th century, Christian names like Petar and Stefan appeared among Serbian rulers. Prince Petar Gojniković (who ruled from 892–917) was clearly a Christian leader. Christianity was spreading during his time. Because Serbia was next to Bulgaria, Christian ideas and missionaries came from there. The Bulgarian takeover of Serbia in 924 was important for the future of the Serbian church. By then, Serbs likely received the Cyrillic alphabet and Slavic religious texts.
Archbishopric of Ohrid (1018–1219)
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After defeating the Bulgarian state in 1018, Emperor Basil II created the Archbishopric of Ohrid. He lowered the rank of the Bulgarian patriarchate to an archbishopric. This new archbishopric was still independent, separate from the Patriarchate of Constantinople. However, the emperor chose its leader from a list of three candidates. In 1020, Basil II gave many special rights to this new church region. The Bishopric of Ras was mentioned in these documents.
The Codex Marianus is a very old Slavic manuscript from the 10th or 11th century. It was partly written in the Serbian version of Old Church Slavonic.
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Independent Archbishopric (1219–1346)
Serbian Prince Rastko Nemanjić, son of Stefan Nemanja, became a monk named Sava in 1192 at Mount Athos. Three years later, his father joined him. Father and son built a Serbian religious center at Hilandar. This started a new period of growth in Serbian art, literature, and religion. Sava's father died in 1199 and became Saint Simeon. Saint Sava returned to Serbia in 1207. He brought his father's remains to the Studenica monastery. He also helped his two brothers, Stefan Nemanjić and Vukan, stop arguing.
Stefan asked Sava to stay in Serbia and help the people. Sava founded many churches and monasteries, including the Žiča monastery. In 1217, Stefan became King of Serbia. This led to questions about how to organize the church.
Saint Sava went back to Mount Athos in 1217 or 1218. He was preparing to create an independent Serbian Church. In 1219, he became the first Archbishop of the Serbian Church. He received independence from Patriarch Manuel I of Constantinople. In the same year, Saint Sava published Zakonopravilo, a book of church laws. This gave Serbs both political and religious independence. Sava then stayed in Studenica to teach the Serbian people about their faith. He also held a meeting to speak out against the Bogomils, whom he saw as heretics.
Sava appointed several bishops and sent them to different parts of Serbia to organize their church regions. He traveled a lot to teach the people. In 1221, a meeting was held at the Žiča monastery to condemn Bogomilism.
Here are some of the new church regions created by Saint Sava:
- Žiča, the main seat of the Archbishop.
- Eparchy of Zeta (Zetska), near Kotor.
- Eparchy of Hum (Humska), in Ston.
- Eparchy of Dabar (Dabarska), in Priboj.
- Eparchy of Moravica (Moravička), in Arilje.
- Eparchy of Budimlja (Budimljanska), in Budimlja.
- Eparchy of Toplica (Toplička), in Kuršumlija.
- Eparchy of Hvosno (Hvostanska), in Metohija.
Older church regions under the Serbian Archbishop were:
- Eparchy of Ras (Raška), near Ras.
- Eparchy of Lipljan (Lipljanska), in Kosovo.
- Eparchy of Prizren (Prizrenska), in southern Kosovo.
In 1229 or 1233, Saint Sava traveled to Palestine. In Jerusalem, he met with Patriarch Athanasios II. Saint Sava visited Bethlehem where Jesus was born and the Jordan River where Christ was baptized. He also visited the Mar Saba monastery. Sava bought two monasteries in the Holy Land for Serbian monks. The famous icon Trojerucica (Three-handed Theotokos) was given to Saint Sava. He later gave it to Hilandar.
Saint Sava died in Veliko Tarnovo, the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, in 1235. He became sick after a church service. His body was buried there until 1237, when his bones were moved to the Mileševa monastery in southern Serbia.
In 1253, the main church seat moved to the Monastery of Peć. The Serbian leaders moved between these two places. Around 1290, the Cumans burned the Žiča monastery. King Stefan Milutin (1282–1321) rebuilt it. The important items from Žiča, including the remains of Saint Jevstatije I, were moved to Peć. During the same king's rule, the Monastery of Gračanica was also rebuilt. King Stefan Uroš III (1321–1331) built the Monastery of Dečani.
Medieval Patriarchate (1346–1463)
The Serbian Orthodox Church grew stronger as the Serbian kingdom expanded. When King Stefan Dušan became emperor, the Serbian Archbishopric was made a Patriarchate in 1346. In the next century, the Serbian Church became very powerful and respected.
On April 16, 1346, Stefan Dušan held a big meeting in Skopje. Important church leaders were there. They agreed to raise the Serbian Archbishopric to a Patriarchate. The Archbishop was now called the Serbian Patriarch. His main seat was at the Patriarchal Monastery of Peć. The new Patriarch, Joanikije II, then crowned Stefan Dušan as "Emperor and autocrat of Serbs and Romans". Because of this, some bishoprics became metropolitanates. The Patriarchate took control of Mount Athos. This led to Dušan being removed from the church by Patriarch Callistus I of Constantinople in 1350.
In 1375, the Serbian Patriarchate and the Patriarchate of Constantinople reached an agreement. The Battle of Kosovo in 1389 had a big impact on the Serbian Orthodox Church. In 1455, when the Ottoman Turks took Peć, Patriarch Arsenije II found safety in Smederevo.
During this time, many important writings were created. These included biographies of rulers, archbishops, and saints.
Restored Patriarchate (1557–1766)
The Ottoman Empire conquered Serbian lands between 1459 and 1499. Many Serbs stayed Christian, even though some converted to Islam. The church continued to exist, but it faced challenges. After Patriarch Arsenije II died in 1463, no new leader was chosen. The Patriarchate was effectively ended. The Serbian Church then came under the control of the Archbishopric of Ohrid and later the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
After several tries, the Serbian Patriarchate was finally restored in 1557. This happened thanks to pasha Mehmed Sokolović, who was of Serbian origin. His cousin, Makarije Sokolović, became the new Patriarch in Peć. This restoration was very important because it helped unite all Serbs in the Ottoman Empire.
During the time of Serbian Patriarch Jovan Kantul (1592–1614), the Ottoman Turks took the remains of Saint Sava from the Mileševa monastery. They burned them on Vračar hill in Belgrade in 1594. This was meant to scare the Serb people after a revolt. The Temple of Saint Sava was later built on this spot.
After more Serbian uprisings against the Turks, where the church played a big role, the Ottomans ended the Patriarchate again in 1766. The church once more came under the control of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. This time was difficult for the church.
Church in the Habsburg Monarchy
During this period, Christians in the Balkans were pressured to convert to Islam. This was to avoid high taxes imposed by the Turks. Many Serbs moved with their church leaders to the Habsburg monarchy to keep their faith. In 1708, an independent Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of Karlovci was created. This later became a patriarchate (1848–1920).
Under Empress Maria Theresa (1740-1780), several meetings of Orthodox Serbs were held. They sent requests to the Habsburg court. The empress issued laws that set rules for electing Serbian Orthodox bishops and managing church regions.
Modern History of the Church
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The church's strong connection to Serbian resistance against Ottoman rule made Eastern Orthodoxy a key part of Serbian identity. The Serbian Orthodox Church in the Principality of Serbia became independent in 1831. It was known as the Metropolitanate of Belgrade. It was still under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. In 1878, the Principality of Serbia gained full political independence. Soon after, the Metropolitanate of Belgrade also gained full church independence in 1879.
At the same time, Serbian Orthodox church regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina remained under the Patriarchate of Constantinople. However, after the Austro-Hungarian takeover in 1878, these regions gained some self-rule.
By the early 1900s, there were several separate Serbian church provinces. These included the Patriarchate of Karlovci, the Metropolitanate of Belgrade, and the Metropolitanate of Montenegro.
During World War I (1914–1918), the Serbian Orthodox Church suffered greatly.
Reunification of the Church
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After the liberation and political unification that created the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1918, all Eastern Orthodox Serbs came together under one church. All Serbian church regions were united into a single Serbian Orthodox Church in 1920. The first leader of this united church was Serbian Patriarch Dimitrije (1920-1930). The church became very influential in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
The united Serbian Orthodox Church kept its region in Hungary. In 1921, it created a new region for the Czech lands. It also reorganized the church for Serbs living abroad. A new region was created for the United States and Canada. In 1931, another region was created for Eastern Orthodox Christians in Slovakia and Carpathian Rusynia.
During World War II, the Serbian Orthodox Church suffered badly. It was persecuted by the occupying powers and the harsh Ustaše government in the Independent State of Croatia. This government tried to create a "Croatian Orthodox Church" that Orthodox Serbs were forced to join. Many Serbs were killed, forced to leave, or forced to convert to Catholicism. Bishops and priests were especially targeted. Many Orthodox churches were damaged or destroyed.
Under Communist Rule
After the war, the church was controlled by the communist government of Josip Broz Tito. The government was suspicious of the church because of its past links to the old Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The church was under strict state control. Religious teaching was banned in schools, church property was taken, and religious activities were discouraged.
In 1963, the Serbian Church for Serbs living abroad was reorganized. The region for the United States and Canada was split into three. Some disagreements led to the creation of a separate "Free Serbian Orthodox Church." This split was healed in 1991, and the Metropolitanate of New Gračanica was created within the united Serbian Orthodox Church. In 1983, a fourth region was created in North America specifically for Canadian churches.
The end of communism in Yugoslavia and the rise of nationalist movements in the 1980s led to a religious revival. Serbian Patriarch Pavle supported the opposition to Slobodan Milošević in the 1990s.
Since the creation of the Yugoslav region of "Macedonia" (1944), communist authorities limited the activities of the Serbian Orthodox Church there. They favored creating a separate church. The Macedonian Orthodox Church was created in 1967. This was part of Yugoslavia's effort to build a Macedonian national identity. The Serbian Church strongly disagreed with this and did not recognize its independence.
Similar plans for an independent church in Montenegro were considered. However, these plans were not put into action until 1993, when the Montenegrin Orthodox Church was formed. This organization was not recognized by other Eastern Orthodox churches.
Recent History
The Yugoslav Wars greatly affected parts of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Some church leaders supported the war, while others were against it.
Many churches in Croatia were damaged or destroyed during the Croatian War of Independence (1991–95). Bishops, priests, and many followers became refugees. Many church regions were almost empty after Serbs left Croatia in 1995. Two monasteries, Krupa monastery (built in 1317) and Krka monastery (built in 1345), were especially damaged.
Church regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina were also affected by the Bosnian War. Many church properties were destroyed or damaged. Many followers from these regions also became refugees.
Right: Devič monastery after it was burned down in 2004 unrest in Kosovo
By 1998, the situation in both countries became more stable. Clergy and many followers returned. Most church property was returned to normal use, and damaged buildings were restored. The rebuilding of several churches is still ongoing.
Because of the Kosovo War, many Serbian Orthodox holy sites in Kosovo were left with only clergy after 1999. Since NATO troops arrived in June 1999, 156 Serbian Orthodox churches and monasteries have been damaged or destroyed. In 2004, 35 Serbian Orthodox churches and monasteries were burned or destroyed by Albanian groups. Thousands of Serbs were forced to leave Kosovo due to attacks on churches and Serbs.
The church reorganization for Serbs living abroad was finished between 2009 and 2011. This brought full unity to Serbian church groups outside Serbia.
Followers of the Church
Based on official surveys, there are more than 8 million followers of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Orthodoxy is the largest religion in Serbia, with over 6 million followers (84.5% of the population) in 2011. In Montenegro, it has about 320,000 followers (51% of the population). It is the second-largest religion in Bosnia and Herzegovina (31.2%) and Croatia (4.4%). The number of followers in other countries (Western Europe, North America, Australia) is not fully known. However, it is estimated that over two million Serbs live outside the main regions.
Church Structure
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church is the patriarch. He is also the leader of the Metropolitanate of Belgrade and Karlovci. The current patriarch, Porfirije, began his role in 2021. Serbian Orthodox patriarchs are called His Holiness the Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci, Serbian Patriarch.
The most important group in the Serbian Orthodox Church is the Bishops' Council. It includes the Patriarch, Metropolitans, Bishops, the Archbishop of Ohrid, and Vicar Bishops. They meet once a year in spring. The Bishops' Council makes important decisions for the church and chooses the patriarch.
The daily operations of the Serbian Orthodox Church are handled by the Holy Synod. It has five members: four bishops and the patriarch. The Holy Synod meets regularly.
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Church Regions and Organization
The Serbian Orthodox Church is divided into different regions:
- 1 patriarchal eparchy, led by the Serbian Patriarch.
- 4 eparchies that are honorary metropolitanates, led by metropolitans.
- 35 eparchies (or dioceses), led by bishops.
- 1 independent archbishopric, called the Autonomous Archbishopric of Ohrid. This is further divided into 1 eparchy led by a metropolitan and 6 eparchies led by bishops.
These church regions are further divided into smaller areas called episcopal deaneries. Each deanery has several church congregations or parishes. A parish is the smallest church unit. It is a group of Orthodox followers who gather for the Eucharist with their priest.
Autonomous Archbishopric of Ohrid
The Autonomous Archbishopric of Ohrid was an independent archbishopric in North Macedonia. It was under the Serbian Orthodox Church. It was formed in 2002 to oppose the Macedonian Orthodox Church. It was dissolved in 2023. This archbishopric was divided into one metropolitanate, Skopje, and six eparchies.
Beliefs and Services
The Serbian Orthodox Church follows the Eastern Orthodox theology. This is shared by all Eastern Orthodox Churches. It is based on the teachings of the Seven Ecumenical Councils. It believes in one God in three persons (the Trinity). It also believes that Son of God became human. The church uses Sacred Tradition to understand its beliefs.
The church's worship and services are based on Eastern Orthodox worship. Services cannot be done by just one person. Usually, all services are held daily only in monasteries and cathedrals. Parish churches might only have services on weekends and major feast days. The Divine Liturgy is the main service where the Eucharist is celebrated.
A very important part of the Serbian Orthodox religion is the Slava. This is a celebration of the family's patron saint. It was made part of the Serb Orthodox religion by the first Serb archbishop, Saint Sava.
Social Issues and the Church
The Serbian Orthodox Church holds traditional views on modern social issues. This includes the separation of church and state (which happened after the monarchy ended in 1945). Only men can become priests. The role of women in church administration is limited to certain activities. These are mainly in religious education, religious arts, and charity work.
Relations with Other Christians
The Serbian Orthodox Church is in full communication with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. This Patriarchate holds a special place of honor among Eastern Orthodox churches. The Serbian Orthodox Church is also in communication with all other main independent Eastern Orthodox churches, except the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. It has been a member of the World Council of Churches since 1965. It is also a member of the Conference of European Churches.
Art and Architecture
Church Architecture
Serbian medieval churches were built in the Byzantine style. The Raška style describes Serbian architecture from the 12th to the late 14th century. Examples include Studenica, Hilandar, and Žiča. The Vardar style developed in the late 13th century. It combined Byzantine and Serbian influences to create a new style. Examples are Gračanica and Patriarchal Monastery of Peć. During the Serbian Empire, Serbia grew larger. This led to stronger influences from Byzantine art. The Morava style refers to the period when Serbia fell under the Ottoman Empire (1371 to 1459). Examples include Ravanica, Ljubostinja, and Kalenić.
In the 17th century, many Serbian Orthodox churches in Belgrade took on features of baroque churches. These were built in areas where Serbs lived under Habsburg rule. These churches usually had a bell tower and a single nave. The inside had an iconostasis with Renaissance-style paintings. Such churches can be found in Belgrade and Vojvodina.
Icons in the Church
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Icons are religious images full of symbolism. They are meant to show much more than just the person pictured. This is why Orthodox iconography involves carefully copying older icons. It is not usually a place for new artistic ideas. Before the 17th century, the personal and unique styles of Western European religious art were mostly absent in Orthodox iconography. Later, Russian and Serbian icon painting were influenced by European religious art.
Large icons can be found on church walls, often covering the entire inside. Orthodox homes also often have icons hanging on the wall. They are usually on an eastern wall, in a central spot where the family can pray together.
Church Symbols
The Serbian tricolour (red, blue, white) with a Serbian cross is the official flag of the Serbian Orthodox Church. This is stated in the church's constitution.
Other unofficial flags also exist. Some have different crosses or coats of arms.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia ortodoxa serbia para niños
- List of heads of the Serbian Orthodox Church
- List of eparchies of the Serbian Orthodox Church
- List of Serbian Orthodox monasteries
- List of Serbian saints
