Serbian Slava celebrations in December

They celebrate him as their patron and address him, and this tradition is passed down from generation to generation, through the male line. Celebrations are specific to the Serbian people, as the only one who celebrates them, and a gift for celebration is an indispensable part of the tradition. The season of December celebrations is approaching, and these Serbian celebrations are precisely at that time of the year.

December 4 - Presentation of the Holy mother of God

One of the biggest holidays dedicated to the Mother of God, it is celebrated as a memory of the day when she was first introduced into the temple of God. The introduction is the glory of the Hilandar monastery on Mount Athos. According to beliefs, herders celebrate the Presentation so that the Mother of God would protect their livestock from beasts. The Mother of God is considered the patroness of women in labor and therefore, on that day, those women who do not have children go to church and pray for childbirth. The best gifts from Serbia are based on beliefs and folk traditions, which is why a framed icon of the Holy Mother of God is a good gift choice.

 

December 9 - Saint Olympia

Venerable Alimpius Stolpnik liked to live in prayer and solitude, so he retired to a Greek cemetery, where he settled on a pillar and spent most of his life there. St. Olympias is represented on the icons in the dress of a hermit, living an ascetic life. He is the protector of cattle, and that is why cattle are not harnessed on that day. According to belief, he overcame even the plague, which did not reappear after that. A gift for a celebrity is mostly simple, traditional and not too expensive, and coffee, ratluk, wine and other specialties are usually brought, which are recognized as the best gifts from Serbia, which even foreigners like to take home as a souvenir.

 

December 13 - Saint Andrew

Saint Andrew the First-Called is a holy follower and the first apostle of Christ, and the Royal Palace of Karađorđević commemorates him as its patron. With his powers, he managed to heal many sick people, and he is also considered the protector of large animals. He talks to them and they obey him, and in Eastern Serbia, Saint Andrew's Day is also called Mečkindan. Also, many things are forbidden on that day, so in Šumadija you don't do anything with skin, and in Homolj with clothes - so that the bears wouldn't tear them. That is why, even today, on this day of Serbian glory, nothing should be washed, ironed, sewn, or done with clothes.

December 19 - Saint Nicholas

Nikoljdan is the most famous Serbian holiday, which is said to be celebrated by half of the Serbs, while the other half goes to visit. Saint Nicholas is considered the patron saint of children, learned people, travelers, and merchants. The cult of this saint is widespread not only among Orthodox, but also among Catholics. The custom of secretly putting gifts in children's socks is thought to originate from the fact that St. Nicholas never did his charities publicly, so many call it Bata's Christmas. In the past, every Christian ship had an icon of Saint Nicholas, and he was especially celebrated along the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas. That's how the custom arose that on that day no sailing is done, but that every ship anchors offshore and continues sailing the next day. Even today, the most valuable gift for fame that you can give to someone is the icon of Saint Nicholas.

Lent food

Saint Nicholas in Winter is celebrated on December 19 according to the Gregorian calendar in memory of the day of his death. He was buried in Miri in the cathedral church, and many Christians, including Old Slavs, came to his grave and brought their patients. It is believed that this is precisely why Saint Nicholas is so revered by Serbs, and today he is one of the favorite Serbian saints. Considering that it is celebrated during the Christmas Lent, the table must be fast. As the main course, fish is prepared, followed by lean beans, potato salad and lean cakes. Of course, along with the obligatory celebratory cake, several types of local wine are served, which are the best gifts from Serbia. Summer St. Nicholas is celebrated on May 22, the day when the relics of the saint were transferred from Mir in Lycia to the then Orthodox Bari in Italy, which for some families is a small glory or celebration.