Serbia and Montenegro - Religions

The ancestors of the Serbs converted to Christianity in the 9th century, and sided with Eastern Orthodoxy after the Great Schism of 1054 that split Christendom between the Eastern and Roman Churches. Islam came to the area from the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century. Though there is no state religion, the Serbian Orthodox Church does receive some preferential treatment from the state.

About 65% of Serbia and Montenegro's population is Orthodox. Muslims account for 19%; Roman Catholics, 4%; Protestants, 1%; and others, 11%. Protestant denominations include Baptists, Adventists, Reformed Christians, Evangelical Christians, Evangelical Methodists, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of Christ, and Pentecostals. There is a small Jewish community in the country.