Serbian Orthodoxy 101: Start here.

Introduction

If you are a baptized Serbian Orthodox Christian, you’re off to a good start. Our Serbian Orthodox Church will consider you an Orthodox Christian forever. This applies even if you abandon your faith or convert to another. But wait, being baptized doesn’t mean all the work is done, either.

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Let’s recap.

In our blog post, ’30 ways to nurture your Serbian Soul’, we identified 10 ways to nurture your soul with Serbian Orthodoxy:

1. Get Baptized.
2. Pray.
3. Go to Church.
4. Observe Holy + Fast Days.
5. Read the Bible.
6. Live a Christ-centred life.
7. Incorporate icons and symbols.
8. Connect with like-minded people.
9. Seek spiritual guidance.
10. Go on a pilgrimage.

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What next?

Next, let’s answer some essential questions about Orthodoxy — its beliefs and practices. You may know much of this already. If not, now’s your chance.

Our goal is to simplify complex information and provide a starting point. Of course, please always consult with the Serbian Orthodox Church for in-depth religious guidance.

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Serbian Orthodoxy 101.

• 1. What is Orthodox Christianity?

  Orthodox Christianity (Eastern Orthodox Christianity) is the original form of Christianity.

  It is pre-denominational and almost 2,000 years old (established around 30-33 AD).

  It traces its roots directly to Jesus Christ and His Apostles and reflects original Christian practices.

• 2. What is Serbian Orthodoxy?

  Serbian Orthodoxy is an independent branch of Orthodox Christianity.

  St. Sava led the effort for church autonomy (autocephalous status) in 1219 AD.

  Serbian Orthodoxy has now existed for over 800 years.

  
  Important side note:

  Byzantine missionaries, Saints Cyril and Methodius, introduced the Serbs to Orthodox Christianity in 863 AD.

  Serbs have been Orthodox Christians for more 1,160 years.

• 3. Who was St. Sava?

  St. Sava is a central figure in Serbian history.

  Revered for his contributions to ‘Srpstvo’ — to faith, culture, and national identity.

  c. 1174. St. Sava was born Rastko Nemanjić in Ras, the medieval Serbian capital.

  He was the youngest son of Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja.

  His brothers were Stefan the First-Crowned and Vukan.

  c. 1192. Rastko renounced his princely title and fled to Mount Athos, Greece, where he became a monk, taking the name Sava.

  1198–1199. He and his father founded Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos — a centre of learning and faith.

  1219. St. Sava secured independence for the Serbian Orthodox Church from the Byzantine Emperor.

  He became its first Archbishop.

  This helped unite the Serbian people.

  Early 1200s. He wrote important religious and legal texts.

  He also helped shape the Serbian language and promote literacy.

  1236. St. Sava passed away in Trnovo, Bulgaria, during a diplomatic mission.

  1237. The Serbian Orthodox Church canonized St. Sava.

  1594. The Ottomans burned his relics at Vračar, Beograd — the site of today’s St. Sava Temple.

  Today. St. Sava is a revered saint in Orthodox Christianity.

  Serbs honour him as the patron saint of schools and churches, and they celebrate his feast day on January 27.

4. What are the core religious beliefs
of Serbian Orthodox Christianity?

Belief in the Holy Trinity.
There is one God — God the Father,
Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ is the Savior.

ИС ХС НИКА

Orthodoxy emphasizes
Christ’s victory
over death and sin.

Jesus Christ
is the only path to salvation.

Christ restores our relationship
with God and grants us eternal life.
He is the way, the truth and the life.

• 5. What are Serbian Orthodox values?

  Faith in God
  Trust God’s will, presence, and purpose.
  Веруј и не бој се!

  Family and Tradition.
  The family holds faith, customs, and values, passing them from generation to generation. The Slava — a family’s patron saint day — is a sacred inheritance unique to Serbian Orthodoxy.

  Honour for Saints and Ancestors.
  Saints are role models. Families honour ancestors through memory, prayer, and rituals like Slava and Parastos (memorial services).

  Community and Belonging.
  Fasts, feasts, and liturgical life are communal. These rhythms keep the Serbian people connected to each other and God.

  Sacrifice and Humility.
  Christ’s life is the example. Believers serve, show patience, and carry our cross without pride. We stay humble and endure hardships with faith.

  Beauty as a Path to God.
  Icons, incense, chant, and silence draw the soul toward heaven. Beauty is divine and sacred.

  Living with Divine Purpose.
  Work, prayer, and service to others give life meaning. The goal is not worldly comfort, buttheosis — becoming more like God through spiritual growth.

  Time as Sacred.
  The Church calendar — with its fasts, feasts, and holy days — gives rhythm to life and connects the soul to eternity.

  Forgiveness and Peace.
  Peace begins within. Believers seek forgiveness and reconciliation, especially before taking Pričešće (Communion).

  Love of Homeland.
  Serbian Orthodoxy is deeply tied to national identity. Faith and country are bound together through history, sacrifice, and shared spiritual heritage.

• 6. What are the 7 Sacraments?

  These 7 Sacraments or Holy Mysteries (Svete Tajne) are essential for the spiritual life of an Orthodox Christian:

  Krštenje (Baptism).
  Spiritual birth. Through Krštenje, a person becomes a member of the Orthodox Church and is welcomed into Christianity. This sacred ritual involves triple immersion in holy water and the cutting of a lock of hair as a symbol of dedication to God.

  Miropomazanje (Chrismation).
  Administered immediately after baptism. The newly baptized receives the gift of the Holy Spirit through anointing with holy chrism (myron).

  Pričešće (Eucharist or Holy Communion).
  The faithful receive the Body and Blood of Christ through consecrated bread and wine. This sacrament unites believers with Christ and with the Body of the Church.

  Ispovest (Confession)
  Through repentance and confession before a priest, sins are forgiven and the soul is restored to grace.

  Venčanje (Marriage)
  The holy union between a man and a woman, blessed by God. It symbolizes the sacred relationship between Christ and His Church.

  Sveštenstvo (Ordination)
  The sacrament through which deacons, priests, and bishops are ordained to serve and guide the Church.

  Jeloosvećenje (Anointing of the sick)
  A sacrament of healing and mercy. Through prayer and anointing with oil, it offers spiritual — and sometimes physical — healing for the ill.

• 7. What is the Divine Liturgy?

  The Divine Liturgy (Sveta Liturgija) is the central worship service in the Serbian Orthodox Church.

  It is celebrated every Sunday and on major feast days.

  Confession (Ispovest) happens before the Divine Liturgy. Early morning or on the evening before.

  The priest leads the congregation through:

  • Opening prayers and petitions for peace

  • Readings from the New Testament: the Epistle (Apostol) and the Gospel (Jevanđelje)

  • Chanting of the Nicene Creed (Nikejski Simbol Vere) and the Lord’s Prayer (Oče naš)

  • Consecration of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ

  • The Eucharist (Pričešće) for the faithful

  • Final blessing

  The service includes hymns, chanting, and incense, creating a sacred and prayerful atmosphere. The Divine Liturgy is essential for spiritual nourishment, grace, and renewal.
  

  Important side note:

  The Nicene Creed (Nikejski Simbol Vere) is a profession of faith. It is a prayer that summarizes core Christian beliefs.

  The Lord’s Prayer (Oče naš) is the prayer Jesus taught His disciples. It is also chanted or recited during the service.

• 8. How do the faithful worship at Liturgy?

  Upon entering the church.

  • Make the sign of the cross when you enter.

  • Light candles and venerate (bow to or kiss) the icons.

  Important side note: Icons aren’t worshipped. They’re sacred images — like photos of loved ones— that help us focus on God when we pray.

  During the service. 

  • Pray quietly. Make the sign of the cross during prayers.

  • Stand respectfully throughout the service.

  • Listen attentively to the prayers, readings and sermons.

  • Receive Pričešće (The Eucharist) if spiritually prepared.

  After the service.

  • On your way out, you may receive Nafora — blessed bread shared as a sign of unity and love. 

  Exiting the church.

  • Turn to face the altar, make the sign of the cross, then exit respectfully.

• 9. What role do Saints and icons play?

  Saints.
  Orthodox Christians honour saints as holy examples to follow, not as gods.

  Serbian Patron Saint (Slava).
  Early Serbian Orthodox families chose a Patron Saint — their family Slava — to celebrate their entry into Christianity. The Slava is passed down through the generations — from father to son — along with the family name.
  
  
  Icons.
  Icons are sacred images. They depict Christ, the Theotokos (Mother Mary), the saints, and the Holy Spirit (often shown as a dove). They help focus prayer. Like saints, icons are honoured, not worshipped. Think of them like photos of loved ones — you don’t worship the photograph, but who it represents. Prayer is always directed to God — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

  
  Important side note:
  
  Traditional Orthodox practice avoids portraying God (the Father) as a human figure.

  Jesus Christ (the Son) is depicted in icons.

  The Holy Spirit is sometimes shown as a dove.

• 10. What are the main Holy Days observed?

  Below are some of the most important fixed and movable holy days. Connect with the Serbian Orthodox Churchfor more details.

  
  Fixed Holidays.

  Božić (Christmas) – January 7

  Bogojavljenje (Epiphany) – January 19

  Sv. Sava (Saint Sava Day) – January 27

  Vidovdan (St. Vitus Day) – June 28

  Velika Gospojina (Dormition of the Theotokos) – August 28

  Mala Gospojina (Nativity of the Theotokos) – September 21

  Krstovdan (Exaltation of the Holy Cross) – September 27

  Movable Holidays (tied to Pascha).

  Vaskrs (Easter/Pascha) – Date varies

  Cveti (Palm Sunday) – Sunday before Pascha

  Veliki Petak (Good Friday) – Friday before Pascha

  Spasovdan (Ascension) – 40 days after Pascha

  Duhovi (Pentecost/Trinity Sunday) – 50 days after Pascha

  Common Serbian Slava Feast Days.

  Sv. Nikola (St. Nicholas) — December 19

  Sv. Đorđe (St. George) — April 23

  Sv. Jovan Krstitelj (St. John the Baptist) — January 20

  Sv. Ilija (St. Elijah) — August 2

  Sv. Petka (St. Paraskeva) — October 27

• 11. Why is Serbian Orthodoxy vital to Serbs?

  Governments rise and fall. Borders shift.

  But, for over 800 years, the Serbian Orthodox Church has stood as the one constant.

  It remains the defender of the faith and of ‘Srpstvo’ itself.

Conclusion

Baptism is the place to start on your journey with Serbian Orthodoxy.

Living the faith matters just as much.

In this blog post, ‘Serbian Orthodoxy 101: Start here’, we cover some of the essentials.

Of course, we’re all learning and stumbling, too!

Have more questions? Ask your priest. Visit your church.

The Serbian Orthodox Church has survived for 800+ years.

It’s there when you need it.