Eastern Orthodoxy in Austria refers to communities, institutions and organizations of theEastern Orthodox Christianity on the territory of modernAustria. There are several Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions in Austria. As of 2019, it is estimated that there are some 400,000 to 450,000 Eastern Orthodox believers in Austria.^[1] Most of them are ethnicSerbs andRomanians.

By the end of theMiddle Ages, migration of Eastern Orthodox Christians towards Austrian lands was intensified due to expansion of theOttoman Empire in various regions ofSoutheastern Europe. Exiled members of Eastern Orthodox royal and noble families were welcomed byHabsburg rulers, who granted them new possessions. In 1479, emperorFriedrich III granted castleWeitensfeld inCarinthia to exiled members ofBranković dynasty ofSerbia. Often accompanied by their priests, exiled noble families created first Eastern Orthodox cells in Austrian lands.^[2]

During the period ofOttoman–Habsburg wars (16th-18th centuries), Habsburg policy towards Eastern Orthodox Christians was often marked by special interests, related to complex religious situation in various regions of the expandingHabsburg monarchy. Political aspirations of Habsburg rulers were directed towards various lands in Southeastern Europe, held by the decliningOttoman Empire. Since those regions were inhabited by Eastern Orthodox population, Habsburg court was inclined to adopt policy ofreligious tolerance.^[3]

EmperorLeopold I issued several charters (1690, 1691, 1695) toEastern Orthodox Serbs, who sided with Habsburgs during theVienna War (1683-1699), granting them religious freedom in the Monarchy. Serbian Orthodox patriarchArsenije III visited the Austrian capital (Vienna) on several occasions, and died there in 1706.^[4][5]

Serbian Orthodox metropolitanIsaija Đaković, who visited the Austrian capital on several occasions since 1690, also died in Vienna, in 1708.^[6] During the 18th century, Eastern Orthodox communities in major Austrian cities were consisted mainly of ethnic Greeks, Serbs and Romanians. Most prominent among them were merchants and officers, who were the main donors of religious institutions, at first under the spiritual jurisdiction of theMetropolitanate of Karlovci (that became thePatriarchate of Karlovci in 1848). Later development led to the creation of autonomous and particular jurisdictions, thus establishing separate parishes for different ethnic communities. That process was finalized after theFirst World War (1914-1918).^[7]

There are several Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions on the territory of modern Austria:

• Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Austria: Parish of St. Ivan Rilski,Vienna.^[8]
• Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Austria: 12 parishes, of which three are in Vienna.^[9]
• Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch: Two parishes, in Vienna and Innsbruck.^[10]
• Romanian Orthodox Church in Austria: Five parishes, of which one is in Vienna.^[11]
• Diocese of Vienna and Austria ofRussian Orthodox Church: Seven parishes, of which two in Vienna.^[12][13]
• Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Austria and Switzerland: 25 parishes, of which three are in Vienna, including Parish of St. Sava.^[14]

• Metropolitanate of Karlovci
• Patriarchate of Karlovci
• Declaratory Rescript of the Illyrian Nation
• Catholic Church in Austria
• Old Catholic Church of Austria
• Religion in Austria
• Freedom of religion in Austria

• Eastern Orthodoxy in Austria

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