The Art of Preaching in 19th Century Serbia

Abstract

The article deals with the art of preaching in the Serbian Orthodox Church in 19th century Serbia, primarily in the socio–cultural context. Also, the effects of the work of the long–time Metropolitan, Mihailo Jovanović, are examined. A study of the representatives of the only existing seminary as well as other (developmental) factors involved in the art of preaching sermons leads us to the conclusion that even toward the end of the 19th century, the Belgrade Metropolitanate did not achieve the level of the Karlovac Metropolitanate (in Austro–Hungary). While in the transition from the 19th to the 20th centuries in the Kingdom of Serbia we can see the results of the development of (high) secular culture in its broadest sense, including also the field of rhetoric, the art of preaching, which, being modelled after Russia, was not significantly enriched. The causes for neglecting the development of preaching skills were to be found within the overtly nationally oriented religious community which was loyal to the state.