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'In here we have only one leader, Jesus Christ'

BBC A woman with a black coat, fur round the neck and a blue headscarf stands in the church, although the background is blurred. She has dark hair and is smiling. BBC
Olga Wakefield said she sees the church as an escape from life's pressures

Peace, love and unity are the guiding principles at a city church where Ukrainians and Russians have joined together to celebrate Orthodox Christmas.

The Serbian Church of Holy Prince Lazar in Bournville, Birmingham, was built by Serbian refugees in the 1960s, on land the Cadbury family sold to them for £1, and has since welcomed people from a range of nationalities.

In the past few years, the church has been vulnerable to the tensions and emotions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine spilling into its services.

But Father Nenad Popović said fortunately congregants leave politics at the door. "In here we have one leader, Jesus Christ, nobody else," he said.

Church member Raisa agreed the focus was on worship.

"We're here for God so we try not to think about these things," she said.

"In our choir we have a mixture - I'm from Ukraine but we have a Russian couple, a Moldovan lady, even some English converts but we are all here for worship."

'Only constant is God'

For Olga Wakefield, originally from Russia, says her faith puts the conflict in perspective.

"Our life is full of a lot of problems, first Covid, now that's in the past, now more problems but the only constant is God.

"And it can all be a life lesson."

Inside the church. Three church leaders dressed in religious robes. The man in the middle holds a cross and behind them are colourful paintings of figures and patterned arches, relics and decorations.
Leaders of the church, which is known for its richly decorated frescoes, say everyone is welcome

Despite intentions to focus on worship and building positive relationships, the conflict, which has raged for nearly three years, cannot be entirely ignored.

"When the war broke, tensions were there. Emotions are rife between Russians and Ukrainians, but never in here because once you come in a church everyone leaves stuff behind," church committee member Dragan Obrenovic said.

"We also know that we have no influence on what is going to happen because we all know the negotiations is going on far above us, so we focus on faith and what we have in common."

A man in a dark green coat and black fleece cardigan looks at the camera. he has dark hair and is wearing glasses and behind him are the coloured frescos of the church and some furniture.
Dragan Obrenović said the congregation was able to leave political beliefs at the church door

Aside from some Sunday school quarrels between children, the church said it had navigated the conflict peacefully.

Father Nenad, who has led the church since 2014, had some advice to offer presidents Trump, Zelensky and Putin.

"It's difficult, but if everyone tried to see the image of God in people and to respect and love them, if you have the will, you can always find a solution," he said.

A man wearing black religious attire which includes a black cloak, pillar shape hat and a chain. He has a beard and moustache and is looking at the camera. Behind him are people, wooden stairs and paintings which are out of focus.
The Very Reverend Father Nenad Popović has led the church since 2014
Frescos showing religious paintings in different colours which are mainly blue, brown, green and white. The ceiling is arched and there are cream pillars at the top.
The majority of the materials used for the church's interior were brought over from Serbia to the UK.

The church is among many venues around the world where Christmas has been marked this month.

For many of the world's 200 million Orthodox Christians, the birth of Jesus Christ is marked on 7 January. It is because they follow the Julian calendar, unlike the Gregorian calendar that Christian denominations follow.

Construction began on the Bournville church in 1965. It was built by Serbians who largely came to the UK as refugees after World War One and Two.

'Like a Hollywood movie'

Many found employment at the Cadbury's chocolate factory. The philanthropist Quaker Cadbury family offered the committee support with building their church.

"They found a plot of land, which was owned by the Cadbury family," Mr Obrenović explained.

He said when they approached the family about buying the land, Alfred Cadbury asked them to return in a few weeks with £5,000.

"These people got £5,000 together, despite being poor," he said.

When the Cadbury family saw they were serious about buying the land, they returned £4,999 of it.

"So they sold the land for one pound. It's like a Hollywood movie," he said.

Members of the community then built the church, in between shifts at the chocolate factory. It was completed and consecrated in 1968.

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