Do you know how a Serbian church came to be in the heart of Gaborone? It is a story of faith community and a little bit of luck. Today we are standing in front of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Let me tell you its story.
The story of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Gaborone is quite recent. Efforts to establish a Serbian church in Botswana started around 2015. A priest from South Africa visited the area during Pascha. This marked the beginning of a dedicated journey.
The Serbian community in Botswana actively sought a place of worship. Their dreams began to materialize when Milivoje Nikolic and his wife Linet generously donated funds to purchase land. Their contribution was the cornerstone for the church’s foundation. A simple cross was erected marking the future site of the church. Fundraising efforts commenced to gather resources for the construction of a proper building.
In 2016 construction began on the first Serbian Orthodox Church in Botswana. The church is dedicated to St. Nicholas. The Serbian community in Botswana is quite active. They regularly host cultural events at the Serbian Society. This society acts as a cultural center for Botswana Serbs.
Serbian Batswana now have two Serbian Orthodox churches in Gaborone. Besides this church of Saint Nicholas, there is also the church of Saint Sava. The Saint Sava Orthodox Church even runs a school. It teaches Serbian Batswana children about their language and culture.
The Orthodox presence in Botswana is relatively new. Missionary efforts began in the late 20th century. They operated under the Church of Alexandria’s jurisdiction. Botswana now falls under the Holy Diocese of Botswana. Before 2010 the Diocese of Botswana was part of the Archdiocese of Zimbabwe. On October 7 2010 it was detached and put under Bishop Gennadios of Nilopolis.
Bishop Gennadios was enthroned on June 2 2012. Pope Theodoros II of Alexandria officiated the ceremony. It took place in the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The communities of the diocese include the Church of St Nicholas. Chapels of St. Parthenios Bishop of Lampsakos and St. Peter Archbishop of Alexandria are also included.
The Serbian Orthodox Church is not just a place of worship. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of a community. It is a welcoming beacon for Orthodox Christians in Botswana. The consecration of the St Sava church was a momentous occasion. It signified the growing Orthodox presence in Botswana.
The land where the church stands was not easily acquired. Negotiations with local authorities were necessary. The Nikolics funded the purchase of a new site. The first prayers were held on the land on July 22. A cross was erected and the first stone was placed on October 15. Stones from various significant locations were placed in the foundation. These stones came from Belgrade Krusevac Arandjelova Studenica Ostrog Monastery Novi Sad and Myra in Lycea from the tomb of St. Nicholas.
His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia consecrated the nation’s first ever Serbian Orthodox church in Gaborone. At the first service in the newly consecrated church dedicated to St. Sava of Serbia His Holiness was concelebrated by Metropolitan Gennady of Gaborone and Botswana. The Liturgy was attended by the Serbian ambassador to South Africa the Russian ambassador to Botswana the Serbian Consul in Pretoria and a number of Orthodox Christians living in the area.
The Serbian Orthodox Church stands as a symbol of faith cultural preservation and community. It enriches the religious tapestry of Gaborone. As we conclude our visit to the Serbian Orthodox Church take a moment to appreciate the journey. The Serbian community has created a spiritual home.