The lecture entitled “How to Initiate and Lead Electronic Mission at the Parish Level” was held on Saturday, 27 December 2025, at the Church of St Alexander Nevsky in Belgrade, at 10:00 a.m. Like the previous two lectures, it was organized by the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade–Karlovci, as part of the Missionary Seminar. Approximately thirty-five registered seminar participants were in attendance, among whom a particularly welcome guest was Archimandrite Theophilos (Dimitrić), Abbot of the Monastery of Osovica in the Diocese of Banja Luka.
The lecturer was Dr Nenad Badovinac, Coordinator of the Section for Electronic Mission. In a clear and concise manner, he presented both the theoretical foundations and practically tested models for the application of digital media in the mission of the Church in the twenty-first century. Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that digital media do not constitute a substitute for liturgical life and ecclesial gathering, but may serve solely as an important step towards directing individuals to a living encounter with the Church and the community.
In the introductory part of the lecture, the missionary necessity of recognizing, in every historical period, the spaces in which people live and communicate was emphasized. It was underlined that the digital sphere today represents one of the principal arenas of encounter, communication, and opinion formation—especially among younger generations, but also among those who, due to illness, old age, distance, or life circumstances, are unable to participate regularly in the liturgical life of the Church.
In the central part of his presentation, Dr Badovinac introduced specific forms of electronic mission: parish websites, social media platforms, YouTube channels, podcasts, as well as Viber and Telegram platforms. The importance of regular publication of digital content was highlighted, regardless of the medium in question. He also presented the model of a “network of trust,” within which a priest, through personal contact and digital communication, encourages parishioners to share digital missionary content discreetly within their professional and everyday environments—for example, in hospitals, schools, kindergartens, bakeries, or military institutions—such as short sermons, spiritual music, or podcasts. In this way, electronic mission becomes a natural extension of priestly ministry within the parish church.
As part of the lecture, a six-minute video testimony was shown featuring Archimandrite Gavrilo (Vučković), a participant in the First Conference on Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care, held in Athens in 2015. This video illustrated the significance and potential of electronic mission within the Orthodox Church. It should also be noted that the late Archimandrite Gavrilo was the spiritual father of Dr Nenad Badovinac, a fact which the lecturer regularly emphasizes with filial devotion.
In the concluding part of the lecture, it was stressed that electronic mission essentially requires a simple yet responsible engagement of parishioners who wish to assist their parish priest in the mission of the Church. During the lecture, they were expressly entrusted with the responsibility to become actively involved in this form of missionary activity, since—under the blessing and coordination of their parish priest—they can make a significant contribution to the Church’s mission in the digital sphere.
The lecture took place in an atmosphere of keen interest and open dialogue, followed by a brief discussion with those present. A special contribution to the discussion was made through the reflections and observations of the esteemed guest, Archimandrite Theophilos (Dimitrić), who shared with the audience his experiences drawn from a rich pastoral and spiritual life in relation to this topic.
Finally, the participants expressed their readiness to become involved in the work of the Section for Electronic Mission and to apply the presented models within their own parishes, in accordance with specific needs and individual capacities. In this regard, Orthodox Christians who possess knowledge and experience in the use of digital media and who wish to contribute to the mission of the Church are hereby invited, with the prior blessing of their spiritual father or relevant parish priest, to join the work of the Section for Electronic Mission of the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade–Karlovci (contact address: misionarsko.odeljenje@gmail.com).
