Marinus, a Christian stonemason who found refuge from persecution on Mount Titano in 301 AD, founded the Republic of San Marino, beginning as a small community of Christians. Now a tiny landlocked nation on the Italian Peninsula, San Marino is the third smallest in Europe, with barely 23 square miles (61 sq km) and 33,400 people. It is known as the world’s oldest republic. Characterized by the three jutting peaks of Mount Titano, San Marino attracts over three million tourists every year.Due to its location, San Marino has been greatly influenced by Italian culture, while also maintaining national identity and pride. Although invaded and occupied many times throughout its history, it has kept a position of neutrality since its last battle in 1463. With no national debt, a budget surplus, and the lowest unemployment rate in Europe, San Marino enjoys a stable economy based primarily on tourism and banking. Overall, the people of San Marino live a quality and standard of life that is equal to the most prosperous areas of Italy.

Culturally, the Sammarinese are deeply linked to religion, with 89% claiming Christianity (88% of which are Catholic and only .5% Protestant). For many, faith and religion are valuable parts of their heritage but have very little transformational impact on their lives. Spiritual hunger has been replaced by materialism. More and more Sammarinese are rejecting faith of any kind, and small numbers are embracing Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baha’i, and Waldensians. Although there is freedom to worship, evangelism is almost nonexistent, partially due to instances where incarceration and/or expulsion has occurred as a result. Catholicism remains deeply rooted in this culture, with nine Catholic parishes making up the diocese of San Marino. With nominalism as the norm, the Church in San Marino desperately needs a transformational encounter with the Living God.