Serbian Orthodox Mission Begins in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, SC — A new Serbian Orthodox mission has begun taking shape in South Carolina’s capital, where the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Saturday, September 12, bringing together Serbian Orthodox faithful from Columbia, the surrounding area, and Charlotte.

The mission was established with the blessing of Bp. Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church’s Eastern American Diocese and Metr. Sevastianos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta. The clergy and community of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Parish in Columbia are also providing support as the Serbian Orthodox community works to establish a regular presence in the city.

Fr. Srebrenko Vidaković, rector of St. Simeon the Myrrh-Flowing Church in Charlotte, celebrated the inaugural Liturgy. He will oversee the mission’s continued development. The Charlotte parish’s territory already includes South Carolina, and its clergy had recognized the need to gather Serbian Orthodox faithful living in Columbia and nearby communities.

For the time being, the mission plans to celebrate the Divine Liturgy once a month on a Saturday, according to a schedule that will be announced through the official parish bulletins of St. Simeon Church. The organizers expressed gratitude to those who helped establish the new missionary effort and prayed that it will bear abundant spiritual fruit.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a missionary surge led the ROCOR Western American Diocese to establish a new Southwestern Deanery.