A grand lustre hangs inside. It illuminates the icons within Église Saint-Sava. Welcome to Église Saint-Sava a Serbian Orthodox church. It serves as the episcopal seat. It is the Diocese of France and Western Europe. The Église Saint-Sava stands as a testament to faith. It reflects cultural exchange. It is located on the Rue du Simplon in Paris.
Originally, this building wasn’t always a Serbian Orthodox church. It was constructed in 1906. It served as an annex to a Protestant temple. This temple was associated with the Batignolles. Initially, it was named the Protestant Temple of Montmartre. It was a parish of the Reformed Church of France. Interestingly, another Protestant church already existed nearby. It was the Lutheran Church of Saint-Paul of Montmartre.
The Église Saint-Sava’s transformation is quite remarkable. In 1947, the Serbian Orthodox Church association was founded in Paris. They initially rented the Église des Saints-Archanges. This chapel belonged to the Romanian Orthodox Church. It was located in the 5th arrondissement.
However, the Serbian community sought a larger space. In 1964, they rented the former Protestant temple on Rue du Simplon. This marked a new chapter for the building. By 1969, a significant event occurred. Yugoslavia opened its borders under the communist regime. This led to an influx of Yugoslav workers into Western Europe. The Serbian Orthodox Church seized this opportunity. It established a diocese for Western Europe.
Finally, in 1984, the church was purchased. Major renovations transformed the interior. Biblical verses were removed from the walls. An iconostasis was installed. This screen displays religious images. It separates the nave from the sanctuary. A prominent icon of Saint Sava was placed on the tympanum. Saint Sava was the first archbishop. He established the Serbian Orthodox Church’s independence in 1219.
Église Saint-Sava became a vital center. It became the heart of the Serbian community in Paris. The Rue du Simplon transformed over time. It evolved into a vibrant “little Belgrade”. The church is not merely a parish. It is the episcopal seat. It is the seat of the Serbian Orthodox diocese. It represents France and Western Europe.
As you step inside Église Saint-Sava, notice the atmosphere. The grand lustre and the iconostasis create a unique ambiance. This space embodies faith and community. It reflects a blend of histories. From its Protestant origins to its Serbian Orthodox present, Église Saint-Sava stands as a symbol of cultural and spiritual evolution in the heart of Paris. Take a moment to appreciate the journey of this building and its significance to the Serbian community.