Serbian Christmas falls on January 7th, and what is Epiphany in many countries, is Christmas Eve, Badnji dan, in Serbia.
This is because Serbian Orthodox Christians celebrate their holidays according to the Julian calendar.
Currently, the Julian calendar lags 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar.
While living in Belgrade, we happily celebrated the Christmas twice. We have our habits and traditions, but here I will share some of the customs of the Serbian Christmas.
If you prefer to read in Finnish continue here / Jos luet mieluummin suomeksi, jatka tänne:
Serbialainen joulu alkaa kokon polttamisella
The burning of oak leaves promises good fortune
In Belgrade’s main square, Trg Republika stands a giant Christmas tree, erected as early as the end of November.
Around the same time as the Christmas lights illuminate the streets, and mulled wine stalls pop up along the pedestrian thoroughfare.
I could tell you what Belgradians thought about a two-million-euro Christmas tree, but let’s skip that now and dive into some traditional customs…
While Belgraders now bring Christmas trees also into their homes and lavishly decorate them, the badnjak yule log remains the more traditional symbol in Serbia.
On Christmas Eve morning, a branch of oak — once collected from the forest, now often from a market or supermarket— is not adorned like a Christmas tree.
Instead, these branches, symbolizing the cycle of the year, are burned in a ceremonial bonfire outside the church on Christmas Eve.
Traditionally, the bonfire is lit using a leaf blessed by the priest.
Drinking rakija (plum brandy) around the fire with friends and neighbors is, of course, an essential part of the custom. Attending church services is another key Christmas Eve tradition.
The burning of badnjak predates Christianity and has its roots in pagan rituals – as many of the similar customs around the world.
The practice was once believed to ensure a bountiful harvest.
An abundance of sparks from the fire was said to promise plenty of luck, money, piglets, and lambs —hopefully fewer house fires!
In addition to the bonfires, Christmas Eve fireworks are part of the celebration.
Anyone living in Serbia quickly notices that fireworks are set off frequently, often whenever Red Star Belgrade wins a match — or when any team plays.
So why not light up the skies when Christmas Eve turns into Christmas Day?
The bonfire is part of the Christmas traditions in the capital city too
Today, on Christmas Eve, a bonfire is lit in front of Belgrade’s main church, Sveti Sava, where city residents bring their oak branches to add to the flames.
Sveti Sava Church is named after Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church and its first archbishop.
Construction of the church began in the 1930s on the site where, in 1594, the Ottomans burned Saint Sava’s remains during the Serbian uprising.
The church was only completed and consecrated in October 2020.
The Christmas Eve Dinner Ends the Fast
Christmas traditions vary by region and every family has its customs. However, the practices mentioned here are quite common throughout Serbia.
One of our Serbian friends reminisced about his childhood Christmases, recalling how the dining room was decorated with straw on Christmas Eve to symbolize the stable where baby Jesus was born.
After dinner, the children would crawl under the table to search for a hidden basket of fruit among the straws.
In some rural families, it was customary to remove the dining table and chairs from the room entirely on Christmas Eve, eating the meal while seated on the floor atop the straw.
Just as fasting precedes Easter, fasting also leads up to Christmas. Christmas Eve marks the end of the fast, but the evening meal remains a fasting dish, posno, typically consisting of fish and vegetables.
Christmas Day is for Celebration
On Christmas morning, people greet each other with “Hristos se rodi” — Christ is born.
The response to this is “Vaistinu se rodi”—Indeed, He is born.
In Serbia, as in many other places, Christmas is a family celebration, with children playing the starring role.
On Christmas Day, children have the important task of visiting relatives and friends to wish them a happy New Year.
Traditionally, gift-giving was not part of Serbian Christmas customs. Instead, gifts were exchanged on the three Sundays leading up to Christmas. However, most families today follow the more familiar custom of exchanging gifts on Christmas Day.
Home decorations and the Christmas Feast
If not already on Christmas Eve, a young oak branch is brought into the home on Christmas Day. The lady of the house burns this leaf as well.
Lunch served after breakfast includes česnica, a traditional Christmas bread. A coin is hidden inside the bread, and whoever finds it is said to be blessed with good luck.
On Serbian Christmas Day, a festive meal is, of course, enjoyed. It typically includes a whole roasted pig or goat.
The meal is then leisurely digested around the Christmas tree, much like in other parts of Europe.
Srećan Badnji dan i veče svima!
– Merry Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to all!
Belgrade Christmas Markets – what does it look like? Watch the video!
***
P.S. In Finland, we have a similar custom to coin hiding: We hide an almond in rice porridge.
Do you have similar traditions in your country? Please share in the comments!