Amazing views of the first purpose built Serbian Orthodox church in the UK, which has been described as a hidden gem in the city

Stunning images show Serbian Orthodox Christians gathering to celebrate the Julian calendar's New Year at the Holy Prince Lazar in Bournville, Birmingham. Lazarica is the UK's first purpose built Serbian Orthodox church and is regarded as a hidden gem in the city with its colouful paintings based on medieval frescoes.Serbian Orthodox Christians  - who follow the Julian calendar - gathered on Sunday (12/1) to mark The Orthodox New Year, also known as the Old New Year. The  church was built in traditional 14th-century Byzantine form by Yugoslavian architect Dr Dragomir Tadic for political refugees from Yugoslavia after World War Two. Serbs became associated with the village after Dame Elizabeth Cadbury sponsored thirteen Serbian refugee children following World War One. The Cadbury family offered the land to the late Fr Milenko Zebic and the church was constructed in 1968 with the help of the Bournville Village Trust. It is dedicated to the Holy Prince Lazar of Kosovo, whose relics are said to lie in the church foundations. The marble for floor and walls, the sandstone columns, the walnut furniture overlaid with beaten copper and the candelabra were all brought from Yugoslavia.The al-secco paintings, which adorn the walls and ceiling, by the Serbian artist, Dušan Mihajlovic, are said to be copies of the best known mediaeval frescoes found in Serbia.The church said: "Lazarica is evidence and a reminder of the strength and power of faith. "Those who came to UK after the Second World War, who lost all their earthly possessions, their friends, family, their homeland and their youth, brought with them their faith and the need to follow the example of Christ, Saint Sava and Saint Lazar. "This church is their legacy."

Stunning images show Serbian Orthodox Christians gathering to celebrate the Julian calendar's New Year at the Holy Prince Lazar in Bournville, Birmingham.

Lazarica is the UK's first purpose built Serbian Orthodox church and is regarded as a hidden gem in the city with its colouful paintings based on medieval frescoes.Serbian Orthodox Christians  - who follow the Julian calendar - gathered on Sunday (12/1) to mark The Orthodox New Year, also known as the Old New Year.

The  church was built in traditional 14th-century Byzantine form by Yugoslavian architect Dr Dragomir Tadic for political refugees from Yugoslavia after World War Two.

Serbs became associated with the village after Dame Elizabeth Cadbury sponsored thirteen Serbian refugee children following World War One.

The Cadbury family offered the land to the late Fr Milenko Zebic and the church was constructed in 1968 with the help of the Bournville Village Trust.

It is dedicated to the Holy Prince Lazar of Kosovo, whose relics are said to lie in the church foundations.

The marble for floor and walls, the sandstone columns, the walnut furniture overlaid with beaten copper and the candelabra were all brought from Yugoslavia.The al-secco paintings, which adorn the walls and ceiling, by the Serbian artist, Dušan Mihajlovic, are said to be copies of the best known mediaeval frescoes found in Serbia.The church said: "Lazarica is evidence and a reminder of the strength and power of faith.

"Those who came to UK after the Second World War, who lost all their earthly possessions, their friends, family, their homeland and their youth, brought with them their faith and the need to follow the example of Christ, Saint Sava and Saint Lazar.

"This church is their legacy."