Serbian Orthodoxy and mental structure of Serbs

Abstract

Religions have always played a major role in creating a mental structure of their followers. Thus, the Serbian Orthodox influences the creation of the mental structure of Serbs. That is why Serb's mental structure is impregnated by Orthodoxy. From the middle Ages, especially since the establishment of the autocephalous Serbian church 1219th this fact is more than visible. Orthodox affiliation was more important than belonging to the ethnic group. During the centuries of Ottoman and Austrian rule over the Serbs that fact especially was obvious. Only those who remained Orthodox, or are aware of their orthodox origin remained Serbs. Those Orthodox have led the fight for the restoration of the Serbian state. It can be say that the modern Serbian state was born in a battle which leaders were heroes inspired by orthodoxy. The proof for this is the fact that Serbian Orthodox Church is the most influential and respected national institution.

Religije su uvek igrale veliku ulogu u stvaranju mentalnog sklopa svojih sledbenika. Tako je pravoslavlje uticalo na stvaranje srpskog mentalnog sklopa. Mentalna struktura Srba je impregnirana pravoslavljem. Od srednjeg veka, posebno od formiranja autokefalne srpske crkve 1219. godine ta činjenica je postavila vidljiva. Pripadnost pravoslavlju je bila važnija od pripadnosti narodu. Za vreme viševekovne osmanske vlasti i vlasti Austrijom nad delom Srba ta se činjenica posebno videla. Samo oni koji su ostali pravoslavni ili su svesni svoga pravoslavnog porekla su ostali Srbi. Ti pravoslavni su poveli borbu za obnovu srpske države. I može se reći da je moderna Srbija rođena u borbi koja je slila pravoslavlje i naciju. To se vidi danas kada ke SPC i dalje najuticajnija i najpoštovanija nacionalna institucija.