FAQ
Here you will find answers to questions about our products, shipping, payment, and Serbian Orthodox tradition. Svetazvezda is your shop for authentic Serbian Orthodox icons, brojanice, incense, and Slava products – directly from Serbia, shipped worldwide.
Shipping & Delivery
How long does shipping take?
Delivery time depends on the destination country. Within Switzerland and Liechtenstein, delivery usually takes 5–6 business days. Deliveries within Europe generally take 5–11 business days. International orders outside Europe require approximately 6–23 business days, depending on the country. Table runners and cushions have longer delivery times of about 10–14 days.
Which countries does Svetazvezda deliver to?
Svetazvezda ships worldwide to all countries served by our shipping service providers. We particularly reliably deliver to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, all EU countries, Great Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
How much is shipping?
Shipping is free worldwide. For orders to the USA, shipping is free for orders over 100 USD.
Which shipping service providers does Svetazvezda work with?
Svetazvezda ships standard with Swiss Post. Orders within Europe over €150 and orders to the USA over $100 are usually sent with FedEx to ensure faster and more reliable delivery. All shipments are sent with tracking.
Do I have to pay customs or import duties?
Customers from the EU and Switzerland do not have to pay any additional customs or import fees. For all other countries, the respective import and customs regulations of the destination country apply. Any fees must be borne by the customer.
What happens if I entered a wrong address?
Please contact us as soon as possible if you have provided an incorrect delivery address. As long as the order has not yet been shipped, the address can be adjusted. If a package is returned to us due to an incorrect address, redelivery will only take place upon payment of the shipping costs.
How quickly will my order be processed?
Orders are usually processed and shipped within 48 hours, provided all products are in stock.
Can I change my order after it's been placed?
Yes, changes to an order are possible as long as the order has not yet been shipped. Please contact us as soon as possible via email for this purpose.
What happens if a package gets lost?
Should a package be lost during shipping, Svetazvezda will cover the costs and arrange for a solution or a replacement shipment.
Ordering & Payment
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept a variety of secure international and local payment methods, including Twint, Bank Connect, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Shop Pay, UnionPay, and Klarna.
Is payment at Svetazvezda secure?
Yes, all payments are encrypted and securely processed via Shopify Payments and certified payment providers. Your payment data is always transmitted securely.
Will I receive an order confirmation by email?
Yes, upon completion of your order, you will automatically receive an order confirmation by email.
What happens if a product is no longer available?
Unavailable products are automatically displayed as out of stock in our shop and cannot be ordered. Should an inventory error nevertheless occur, we will contact you immediately with a suitable solution.
Returns & Support
Can I return products?
Yes, we offer a 30-day return policy. The item must be in its original condition: unworn, unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. Proof of purchase is required for a return.
Returns are at the customer's own expense and responsibility. Original shipping costs will not be refunded.
Personalized products such as engraved icons are excluded from returns and exchanges as they are custom-made. Vouchers, sale items, and certain product groups such as perishable goods or personal care products are also excluded.
For customers within the European Union, the statutory 14-day right of withdrawal also applies.
To initiate a return, please contact us at info@svetazvezda.com.
What do I do if a product arrived damaged?
Please check your order immediately upon receipt. If an item is damaged, defective or incorrectly delivered, please contact us immediately by email with pictures of the problem. We will investigate the case as quickly as possible and find a suitable solution.
How can I contact customer service?
You can reach our customer service at any time by email at info@svetazvezda.com. We answer all inquiries within 48 hours.
In which languages do you answer inquiries?
We answer inquiries in German, Serbian, and English. Additionally, we strive to answer inquiries in the respective national language.
About Svetazvezda
Who is behind Svetazvezda?
Svetazvezda was founded by Orthodox Christians who want to keep their roots, tradition, and faith alive even far from home. Svetazvezda is a growing family business with a deep connection to the Serbian Orthodox Church and its tradition.
Why was Svetazvezda founded?
Svetazvezda was founded on the conviction that the Orthodox faith should remain visible and accessible in everyday life. Many Orthodox Christians in the diaspora know the difficulty of finding authentic icons, brojanice, incense, or other religious products of good quality. Our goal is to make Orthodox products accessible worldwide while preserving tradition, spirituality, and Orthodox identity.
What does the name Svetazvezda mean?
The name Svetazvezda comes from Serbian and is composed of the words “Sveta” and “Zvezda”. In the Orthodox context, light symbolically represents Christ, faith, hope, and spiritual guidance. The name is intended to symbolize a light that accompanies people on their spiritual journey and makes the Orthodox tradition visible even far from home.
Where is Svetazvezda located?
Svetazvezda is based in Switzerland and works closely with partners, manufacturers, and church institutions in Serbia.
How long has Svetazvezda been around?
Svetazvezda was founded in 2024 and has been growing continuously ever since. A special milestone was February 2026, when our business in Serbia received its blessing. This moment confirms our path and our responsibility to continue this service with respect and dedication.
Where do your products come from?
Our products mainly come from Serbia. We work with ecclesiastical institutions, traditional family businesses, small manufacturers, and suppliers who are closely connected to the Orthodox tradition. Additionally, Svetazvezda has its own production facilities in Serbia and Switzerland, allowing us to guarantee the highest quality standards and authentic manufacturing.
Do you support Orthodox projects or churches?
Yes. A portion of our company's profits is consciously reinvested in churches and monasteries in Serbia. With every purchase, our customers thus indirectly support the preservation of Orthodox places of worship and traditions worldwide.
What is Svetazvezda's vision?
Svetazvezda aims to strengthen the Orthodox faith in everyday life and make it accessible worldwide. In addition to the shop, we are actively building an Orthodox community and sharing knowledge, traditions, and spiritual content via social media. Our long-term vision is to become the leading platform for Orthodox products worldwide while remaining true to our values: authenticity, respect, and a deep connection to the Orthodox Church and its tradition.
Products & Origin
Are your products originally from Serbia?
Yes, a large portion of our products comes directly from Serbia. We work with traditional manufacturers, family businesses, ecclesiastical institutions, and suppliers who are closely connected to Serbian Orthodox tradition. Additionally, Svetazvezda has its own production facilities in Serbia and Switzerland.
Are your products Serbian Orthodox?
Yes, Svetazvezda specializes in Serbian Orthodox products. Our range is based on Serbian Orthodox tradition, culture, and spirituality.
Where do your products come from?
Our products mainly come from Serbia. Part of our range is sourced directly in cooperation with the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kragujevac. In addition, we work with traditional family businesses, small manufacturers, and church-affiliated suppliers. Thanks to our own production facilities in Serbia and Switzerland, we can guarantee high quality standards and authentic production.
Are your icons blessed?
No. According to Orthodox Church understanding, the sale of icons that have already been blessed is not permitted. Our icons are therefore sold unblessed.
Can icons be blessed?
Yes, Orthodox icons can be blessed by an Orthodox priest. Many faithful have new icons blessed before using them in their prayer corner or home. For this, one should contact their own priest or spiritual father.
What is a Serbian Orthodox icon?
A Serbian Orthodox icon is a sacred depiction of Christ, the Mother of God, saints, or biblical events. Icons hold deep spiritual significance in the Orthodox faith and serve as windows to the spiritual world. They accompany Orthodox Christians in prayer and daily life.
What does a Brojanica mean?
A Brojanica is a traditional Orthodox prayer bracelet, widely used, especially in the Serbian Orthodox tradition. It is frequently used during the Jesus Prayer and symbolizes faith, prayer, and the connection to God.
How to wear a Brojanica?
A brojanica is traditionally worn on the left wrist, as the right hand is often used for making the sign of the cross and religious acts in the Orthodox faith. Many Orthodox Christians wear it daily as a sign of their faith.
Can you pray with a Brojanica?
Yes, the Brojanica is traditionally used for prayer, especially the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." The knots help to keep the prayer focused and repeated.
What is Orthodox incense?
Orthodox incense is a traditional church incense that has been used in the Orthodox faith for centuries. The scent symbolizes the rising prayers of the faithful to God and is used both in churches and at home in the prayer corner.
How to use Orthodox incense?
Orthodox incense is typically used with charcoal in a censer or incense burner. After the charcoal has been heated, a small amount of incense is placed on it, which then releases its characteristic fragrance.
Which products are suitable for a Slava?
For a Serbian Orthodox Slava, Slava candles, incense, icons, Slava cloths, incense burners, molds for the Slava Kolac, and other traditional products are particularly suitable. Many suitable items can also be found in our "Sve za Slavu" collection.
What do you give for an Orthodox baptism?
Popular Orthodox baptism gifts include icons, crosses, Brojanica bracelets, prayer books, baptismal sets, or other religious products with spiritual significance.
Do you sell products in Serbian and German?
Yes, we carry products in both Serbian and German. Many of our products are specifically aimed at the Serbian Orthodox diaspora worldwide.
Orthodox Faith & Tradition
What does Slava mean?
The Slava is a special Serbian Orthodox tradition where the family celebrates its patron saint. Passed down from generation to generation, it is one of the most important spiritual customs of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It centers on prayer, the blessing of the Slava Kolač, incense, and communal celebration with family.
Why do Serbs celebrate Slava?
The Slava is an expression of Orthodox faith and family identity. Each Serbian Orthodox family traditionally has its own patron saint, who is venerated as the spiritual protector of the family. This tradition is unique to the Serbian Orthodox Church and continues to hold central importance in the religious lives of many Serbs today.
What is the Jesus Prayer?
The Jesus Prayer is one of the most important prayers in Orthodox spirituality. It reads: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." The prayer is often recited repeatedly, often with the help of a prayer rope (brojanica), to strengthen inner peace, concentration, and the connection to God.
Why do Orthodox Christians use incense?
Incense holds deep symbolic meaning in the Orthodox faith. Its rising fragrance is symbolic of the prayers of the faithful ascending to God. Incense is used both during church services and at home in the prayer corner, and has been part of Orthodox tradition for centuries.
What is the difference between Orthodox and Catholic?
The Orthodox and Catholic Churches share many common roots, but differ in certain theological, liturgical, and ecclesiastical traditions. The Serbian Orthodox Church belongs to the Orthodox Church and preserves the teachings of Holy Tradition, the liturgy, and the spiritual practice of the early Church. The Orthodox Church is also structured differently and consists of several independent Orthodox Churches.
How to Set Up an Orthodox Prayer Corner
An Orthodox prayer corner traditionally consists of icons, a candle, incense, and sometimes a prayer book or a prayer rope (brojanica). Icons of Christ, the Theotokos, and one's personal patron saint are often used. The prayer corner serves as a place for daily prayer and spiritual peace at home.
What is the significance of saints in Orthodox Christianity?
In Orthodox Christianity, saints are regarded as role models for Christian life and as people who have fully dedicated their lives to God. Orthodox Christians ask saints for intercession in prayer and honor their lives and faith through icons, divine services, and feast days.
What icons belong in an Orthodox home?
In many Orthodox homes, icons of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, and the personal patron saint or family Slava are traditionally displayed. The selection can vary depending on the family, tradition, and spiritual connection.
When is Orthodox Easter?
The Orthodox Easter is calculated according to the Julian calendar and therefore often falls on a different date than the Western Easter. It is the most important holiday in Orthodox Christianity and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Why do Orthodox Christians fast?
Fasting holds great spiritual significance in the Orthodox faith. It serves for inner purification, self-control, prayer, and preparation for important holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In addition to abstaining from certain foods, the primary focus is on spiritual development.