Orthodoxy in Serbia has been blessed for centuries — from the early Christian communities of the Roman and Byzantine eras to the foundation of the autocephalous Serbian Orthodox Church by Saint Sava in the 13th century. The majority of the people (around 80–851 AD, which is 6–7 million believers) live in the Orthodox faith, deeply rooted in their identity and everyday life. Serbia is a country whose holy places breathe heavenly peace: the Studenica Monastery with the relics of Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Bearer, Milesevo with the miraculous fresco of the White Angel, Žiča — the first royal endowment, the Patriarchate of Peć, Visoki Dečani with the relics of Saint King Stefan Dečani, Gračanica, Ravanica (the relics of Saint Prince Lazar), Manasija, Tumane (the relics of Saints Zosimus and Jacob), the Ovčar-Kablar monasteries and the Fruška Gora shrines. The largest temple — the Temple of Saint Sava — shines majestically over Belgrade. Serbia is a country where a pilgrim feels at home, surrounded by history, prayer, and grace.
Orthodoxy in Montenegro has deeply permeated the history of the people and statehood. The majority of the population belongs to Orthodoxy (250,000 - 300,000 believers), and the shrines are a jewel on the rocky but blessed mountain soil. The Ostrog Monastery — inscribed in the hearts of millions of pilgrims — preserves the relics of Saint Basil of Ostrog, the Wonderworker, and represents one of the greatest pilgrimage sites not only in the Balkans, but in the entire Orthodoxy. The Morača Monastery, ancient and powerful, with the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Morača; the Cetinje Monastery with the relics of Saint Peter of Cetinje, the hand of Saint John the Baptist and a particle of the Holy Cross; Savina, Reževići, Piva — all these are places where the soul finds peace. Despite contemporary dilemmas and questions of identity, Orthodoxy in Montenegro continues to live as a joyful force that unites the people in faith and tradition.
The Orthodox faith in North Macedonia dates back to the early Middle Ages and is deeply rooted in the sacred traditions of the Ohrid Archbishopric — one of the holiest Christian centers in Europe. The majority Orthodox people (c. 60–701 AD) preserve this spiritual heritage through monasteries that seem to stand on the border between earth and heaven. Ohrid — the city of Saints Clement and Saint Naum — is full of grace: the Saint Naum Monastery on the shores of the lake still preserves the relics of the saint and the blessing under his name. The Monastery of Saint Clement of Ohrid, the ancient basilica, the Samuil’s Fortress and the so-called “archiepiscopal churches” radiate a prayerful, silent power. The Macedonian Orthodox Church today has a renewed canonical unity, and Orthodoxy in this country offers the pilgrim an encounter with the ancient holiness and peace of the Ohrid waters.
Greece, the land of the holy Apostles, Fathers and martyrs, has nurtured Orthodoxy since ancient times and is one of the holiest hotbeds of Orthodoxy. More than 90% of the population (10-11 million believers) is Orthodox, and the holy places are spread like pearls from Athens to the most distant islands. The holiest among them — Holy Mount Athos — is home to twenty monasteries and countless shrines, relics, miraculous icons (Portaitis, Three-Handed, Milk-Giver, Worthy Eat) and continuous monastic prayers. In Thessaloniki, the relics of Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-Giver rest, and the church of Saint Sophia and other ancient basilicas preserve the early Christian roots. On the island of Aegina — the monastery of Saint Nektarios — is the site of numerous healings. Greece is a country that invites every person to worship at holy places and to experience the living tradition of Constantinople and holy Byzantium through beauty, history, and prayer.
The Bulgarian Orthodox tradition dates back to the 9th–10th centuries and is one of the most important Slavic spiritual treasures. The majority of the population is Orthodox (5–6 million believers). The Rila Monastery, the endowment of Saint John of Rila, is one of the greatest pilgrimage sites in Orthodoxy — the relics of the Saint, miraculous icons, and magnificent architecture leave a deep impression on everyone who visits it. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia preserves numerous relics, and many old monasteries in the Balkan Mountains (Bačkovo, Troyanski, Preobrazhenski) carry the beauty of medieval art and a long liturgical tradition. Although modern challenges are felt, Bulgarian Orthodoxy remains a powerful spiritual force that invites pilgrims to experience the holiness of their Slavic brothers.
The Romanian Orthodox Church dates back to the 9th century, is one of the largest in the world (16-18 million believers), and is deeply rooted in the history of Moldavia and Wallachia. Millions of believers venerate Saint Petka — whose relics in Iași attract huge pilgrimage processions, and numerous miraculous healings testify to the saint’s grace. The monasteries of Bukovina (Voronec, Moldovita, Suceavica) with their famous frescoes, the Putina Monastery and many other shrines represent masterpieces of Orthodox local spirituality. The new Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest continues an ancient and living tradition. Romania is a country where popular piety and the beauty of worship truly ennoble the soul.
Cyprus, consecrated by the blessing of the holy Apostles themselves — Paul and Barnabas — is one of the oldest Christian islands. The Cypriot Orthodox Church has been autocephalous since the early centuries. The Kykos Monastery with the miraculous icon of the Mother of God (attributed to Saint Luke) is the most famous holy island. The shrines of the Apostle Vissarion, the ancient basilicas of Paphos, the tomb of Saint Lazarus in Larnaca — all this makes Cyprus a true pearl of the eastern Mediterranean. Although the political division of the island has left deep traces, Orthodoxy in the southern part still shines as a living pillar of spirituality. 70-95% of the population is Orthodox (the difference depends on whether the northern Cypriot part is counted).
Orthodoxy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has existed for centuries and bears a strong trace of Serbian spiritual tradition. About 30% of the population profess the Orthodox faith, mostly in the Republika Srpska. Herzegovina is particularly rich in holy sites: the Tvrdoš Monastery, where the hand of Saint Helena of Anjou is kept, the Žitomislić Monastery, the Duži Monastery and Mrkonjići — the birthplace of Saint Basil (with the relics of the Venerable Anastasia, mother of Saint Basil of Ostrog). The monasteries of Ozren, Tavna, Rmanj, Klisina, Moštanica, Dobrun, Vardište, Drazevina, Gomionica, Lovnica and others preserve the tradition of Orthodoxy and folk piety. Despite political complexities, Orthodox life in Bosnia and Herzegovina is alive, deep and filled with hope that springs from old shrines and prayer communities.
Orthodoxy in Albania stands as a silent but witnessing light that has survived the most difficult times — including the period of the atheist regime when all religions were banned. Today, the Orthodox community is renewed and spiritually alive, especially in the southern regions. The monasteries in Korça, the ancient churches in Gjirokastra, Berat and the surrounding area preserve icons and frescoes of high artistic value. The resurrection of church life through the merit of Archbishop Anastasius represents one of the most beautiful spiritual stories of modern times. Although the Orthodox are a minority, their faith and shrines radiate warmth and constancy.
