Our parish

The Parish of the Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple on Tenerife was founded in 2013 with the blessing of Bishop Luka, through the efforts of Manuel Méndez Acosta of Tenerife, who is now a subdeacon, the Spasojević family of Lanzarote, and Father Juan García of Barcelona.

The parish initially held its services in rented premises in La Laguna. In 2017, it moved to Puerto de la Cruz, in the north of the island. Among those who played a key role in the relocation were Slaviša Janjić and his wife Dejana, Subdeacon Manuel Méndez Acosta, the Spasojević family, and Vesko Drecun and his family.

With the generous support of Father Miquel Ortega of Mallorca, the community came together to find and prepare a new place of worship. An iconostasis was installed in the rented premises in the town centre, the sanctuary was prepared, and everything needed for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy was acquired.

In the early years, services were held occasionally, with Fathers Juan García, Miquel Ortega, and Marko Dabić officiating. Father Marko was appointed rector of the parish in 2018.

In 2019, the worship space was renovated, and a gallery was established in the narthex. An exhibition of Orthodox sacred art entitled “A Glimpse of Eternity” (Una mirada a la eternidad) was opened there.

Through his dedicated pastoral ministry, Father Marko Dabić made a lasting contribution to the life of the parish community. In 2020, with the blessing of Bishop Luka, he was assigned to a new parish in France. After his departure, the parish continued to hold services thanks to visiting priests from Serbia, Montenegro, and Republika Srpska, who travelled to Tenerife to minister to the community.

In 2023, with the blessing of Bishop Justin, Archpriest-Stavrophore Branko Stanišić was appointed rector of the parish. Since then, services have been held regularly. Father Ioann Slesarenko also serves at the church. Deacon Valentín González Pérez, who was ordained by Bishop Justin in 2025, also plays an active role in parish life.

Around 500 Serbs live on Tenerife. Alongside them, Orthodox Christians of Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Spanish, and other backgrounds come together to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. Through their shared prayer, people of different languages and cultures bear witness to the catholicity and unity of the Orthodox Church.