THE ROLE OF THE SERBIAN CHURCH IN THE IMMUNIZATION OF THE POPULATION DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE XIX CENTURY

Numerous circulars preserved in the archives of the Metropolitan of Belgrade refer to immunization population by "grafting" against smallpox. In addition to its extremely active role in promoting vaccination, the Serbian Orthodox Church, which has just become autonomous, has proven to be a progressive institution, which contributes to the formation of a relationship with health culture through various measures. Various sanctions for those persons who are not vaccinated, such as church penance or the ban on marriage, also testify to the seriousness with which the church institution approached. The said archival data provide a somewhat more detailed picture of the attitude of the Serbian church towards vaccination in the early 19th century, which may be important for current history.