Which religious traditions are most common among Croats and Serbs in Croatia?

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In Croatia, there is a strong historical correlation between ethnic identity and religious affiliation. The religious traditions most common among these groups are:

  • Croats: The vast majority of the Croatian population is Roman Catholic. This affiliation is deeply rooted in history, dating back to the arrival of Slavic tribes in the region, who were converted by missionaries from Rome.12
  • Serbs: The Serb population in Croatia is overwhelmingly Eastern Orthodox. This tradition stems from the influence of missionaries from Constantinople, who converted the ancestors of the Serbs during the early Middle Ages.12

This division reflects the historical influence of the "Theodosian Line," which demarcated the eastern and western segments of the Roman Empire and subsequently shaped the organization of the Christian church in the Balkans. While these religious identities remain significant markers of national heritage, a small minority of the population in Croatia identifies as nonreligious or atheist.21