On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Saint Sava Seminary in Belgrade, the concept, structure, and work of the Missionary Department of the Archbishopric of Belgrade–Karlovci were presented to the faculty and students of this institution, organized according to its sections and projects, thereby formally inaugurating cooperation between the two institutions.
At the outset, the Head of the Department, Presbyter Dr Oliver Subotić, briefly explained what the Missionary Department of the Archbishopric of Belgrade–Karlovci is, how it was established, and what its aims are. He was followed by the Secretary of the Department, Deacon Dušan Todorović, who outlined the responsibilities arising from his service through three segments—administrative, technical, and those pertaining to support for coordinators. On this occasion, the Secretary also presented the activities of the Section for Parish Mission and the Section for Dialogue in the Public Sphere, as their coordinators were unable to attend due to parish obligations during Great Lent.
Thereafter, Dr Sandra Knežević, Editor of the Chinese-language Mission Programme, addressed those present. In her presentation, she introduced missionary activities directed towards foreigners, with particular emphasis on the mission conducted in the Chinese language. She highlighted the increasing number of foreigners in Serbia (noting, for instance, that half a million tourists visit Serbia annually from Turkey alone), emphasizing that the mission of the Serbian Orthodox Church is organically connected with the life of the Church, its liturgical life, the translation of Christian literature into various languages, and the need to become acquainted with the cultures of foreigners residing in Serbia. She presented the projects “Nevsky Talks,” the Chinese language course, and translation initiatives, underscoring their multidisciplinary character and the cooperation of various sectors within the Missionary Department of the Archbishopric of Belgrade–Karlovci.
Religious studies scholar Zoran Luković, Coordinator of the Section for Apologetic Mission, presented the activities of his section and its key projects, among which the portal “Apologetic Word” and the “Parenting School” are particularly noteworthy. In his address, he emphasized that apologetic mission is oriented toward a reasoned and contemporary witness to the Orthodox faith within the context of modern society. Particular emphasis was placed on the challenges arising in the digital sphere, primarily through the internet, as well as on the need to enhance missionary work among future clergy.
The Coordinator of the Section for Electronic Mission, Dr Nenad Badovinac, presented to the seminary students the activities of his section, preceded by a reflection on the importance of digital mission and his former collaboration with his spiritual father, the late Archimandrite Gavrilo (Vučković), one of the pioneers of internet missionary work in the Serbian Orthodox Church. Dr Badovinac then explained the activities carried out within the Section for Electronic Mission, through which new missionary projects are developed and existing missionary activities in the digital space are improved. Particular emphasis was placed on the systematic research of parish websites within the Archbishopric and on the ongoing digital mission course.
Later in the programme, the seminary students posed questions, which the representatives of the Department answered with great interest, and entirely new insights were also presented concerning manifestations of sectarian activity in this region, which are yet to be made public.
At the conclusion, the host of the gathering, the Rector of the Seminary, Protodeacon Radomir Vrućinić, addressed those present, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the Saint Sava Seminary and the Missionary Department, highlighting the “heroic” endeavour of missionary activity in contemporary conditions marked by new challenges with which the members of the Missionary Department of the Archbishopric of Belgrade–Karlovci are actively engaged.
Finally, all participants, together with the seminary students, shared a meal in the seminary refectory and continued their exchange of ideas in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.
In the forthcoming period, the Missionary Department of the Archbishopric of Belgrade–Karlovci will provide, on a monthly basis during the academic year, missionary lectures delivered by its members for the students of the Saint Sava Seminary. We take this opportunity to express our particular gratitude to the Rector, Protodeacon Radomir Vrućinić, for his gracious hospitality and warm welcome, as well as for his goodwill regarding future cooperation aimed at advancing missionary awareness and knowledge among future generations of theology students.
