"The chapter outlines and explains the process of crystalization of long-term divisions between two rival Christian Orthodox churches in the Balkans in the last two decades and their historical claims to legitimacy. The stress on historical precedents and notions of continuity are essential in legitimizing the self-imposed role of a particular church as chief guardian of the nation and national interests. Balkan nationalisms are not only ethnocentric as in the past, but increasingly %22church-centric%22." . "De Gruyter" . "190583" . "Clericalization of Nationalism" . "978-3-11-022813-7" . . . . . "Clericalization of Nationalism" . "\u0160\u00EDstek, Franti\u0161ek" . . . "Nationalism; Religion; Balkans"@en . . "1"^^ . "Clericalization of Nationalism"@en . . "14"^^ . "Spaces and Borders. Current Research on Religion in Central and Eastern Europe" . . "RIV/67985963:_____/11:00368199" . "Z(AV0Z80150510)" . . "278"^^ . . "RIV/67985963:_____/11:00368199!RIV12-AV0-67985963" . . . "Clericalization of Nationalism"@en . "1"^^ . . "Berlin / Boston" . "Religion and Society" . . "[AE28994386BA]" . . "The chapter outlines and explains the process of crystalization of long-term divisions between two rival Christian Orthodox churches in the Balkans in the last two decades and their historical claims to legitimacy. The stress on historical precedents and notions of continuity are essential in legitimizing the self-imposed role of a particular church as chief guardian of the nation and national interests. Balkan nationalisms are not only ethnocentric as in the past, but increasingly %22church-centric%22."@en .