Transnationalism and faith communities: case studies of Serbian orthodox parishes in Australia and their links across the world

This study examined the current situation of the Serbian Orthodox Church both in its Australian and transnational contexts since the Serbian Orthodox Church functions as transnational network with churches linked globally. The research strategy was a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. This included a case study approach which focused in four parishes in Australia, including interviews which involved forty six participants affiliated to Serbian Orthodoxy and four Serbian Orthodox priests who were individually interviewed. This research documented that the transnational links have been strengthened and facilitated by the revolution in information technology and travel. The bishop’s transnational travels and the frequent change of bishops in charge of the Australian diocese, the flow of religious personnel, the conduct of pilgrimages, the maintenance of links and contacts with priests and parishes in Serbia and around the world show the functioning of the Serbian Orthodox church as a transnational network. The research draws attention to a limited involvement of the Serbian Orthodox Church clergy in Australia with other faith leaders as well as limited participation in the interfaith network. As anticipated, the priests did not show much initiative in forming relationships with other religious communities. There are notable barriers in communicating with others such as language, the ethnocentric character of the church and unpreparedness of the clergy to work in a multicultural Australia. The future of the church as seen by participants and priests was assessed as mainly positive and Orthodoxy will continue to exist in Australia. The future of Orthodoxy is to be secured by attracting young people to the church and also by introducing English into the language of the liturgy.