Monks' beehive huts, originally uploaded by fionap.

Religions have used beehive imagery for centuries--no surprise, really, given the organic resonance between spiritual community and self-organization. From Serbia comes news of a beekeeper who has taken things full circle:

A religious beekeeper in Serbia has started making beehives shaped like tiny monasteries and churches "because bees have a soul too".

Slobodan Jeftic, 58, from Stari Kostolac, said: "By doing this, I am bringing together the two great loves of my life, beekeeping and my religion.

"It means that as well as taking care of my bees so that they have a place to live and make their honey, I am also taking care of their souls."

He has built all his hives in the shape of Orthodox churches and monasteries in Serbia.