RASCEE Unblocking the Sacred: New perspectives on the religious revival in South Eastern Europe Emil Hilton Saggau, University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Theology ABSTRACT: Many studies of contemporary religion in South Eastern Europe link resurgent nationalism to the revival of religion, arguing that nationalism is grounded in religion and has taken over many former religious symbols, beliefs and rituals. This argument is a key feature of social science studies of religion in the region. In cases from the former Yugoslavia, focus on this type of connection between religion and nationalism has prevented a more nuanced description of the religious transformation of communities after the fall of communism. This article will discuss the pitfalls of such a simplifcation and how it is possible to nuance the study of religion in the South Eastern European context. This will be done through a critical review of studies of religion in Montenegro and an examination of the local badnjak Christmas ritual. This article aims to craft a revised analytical strategy the nuances the connection between religion and nationalism but also acknowledges religion as its own system. KEYWORDS: Religion, Nationalism, South Eastern Europe, Montenegro, Serbia, Eastern Orthodoxy The revival of Eastern Orthodoxy and nationalism On June 28, 1989, the Serbian saint’s day, Vidovodan, was celebrated at Kosovo Polje in Kosovo. The day marked the 500th anniversary of the batle at Kosovo Polje and the fall and death of St. Prince Lazar. During the celebration, then Serbian president, Slobodan Milošević, took the stage. Milošević gave what would come to be known as the Gazimestan speech, which marked the return of religion and nationalism—two sets of beliefs and practices that had been marginalized for decades by the communist authorities throughout South Eastern Europe. This marked the decline of the communist ideology and the beginning of a new era for nation- states and churches throughout South Eastern Europe. Milošević spoke of the Serbian nation, the Serbian state and the Serbian Orthodox Church as one unit in which ethnicity, identity and Saggau, Emil Hilton. 2018. “Unblocking the Sacred: New perspectives on the religious revival in South Eastern Europe”. Religion and Society in Central and Eastern Europe 11 (1): 39-55. Please direct all correspondence to Emil Hilton Saggau. E-mail: ebs@teol.ku.dk doi: htps://doi.org/10.20413/rascee.2018.11.1.39-55