In 1968, a small group of Serbian immigrants planted a seed of faith on New Zealand soil. This seed blossomed into the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Sava, right here in Island Bay. This church, dedicated to Serbia’s first archbishop, Saint Sava, is more than just a building. It represents the resilience and devotion of the Serbian community, the farthest Serbian Orthodox parish from Serbia. The first Serbian settlers arrived in New Zealand between 1948 and 1952. Initially, they attended Russian and Greek Orthodox churches. The dream of their own church took over two decades to realize. On December 10, 1967, the Serbian Church Community officially formed. They selected Saint Sava, a pivotal figure in Serbian history and spirituality, as their patron saint. The Serbian Community purchased a former Catholic church in Island Bay on February 4, 1968. Father Dušan Kuridža became the first parishioner of this newly formed community at the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Sava. After renovations, the first Divine Liturgy was held on September 14, 1969. Imagine the emotion of that day, the first service held in this church, so far from their homeland. The Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Sava isn’t just a place of worship. It serves as a vital cultural hub. It’s a place where Serbian traditions thrive, a testament to the enduring spirit of a community connected by faith across vast distances. The Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Sava stands as a symbol of hope and perseverance, a beacon of Serbian Orthodoxy in the heart of Wellington.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to