Since the Orthodox Church celebrates holidays according to the Julian calendar, the Orthodox Christmas and New Year fall on January 7 and January 14, respectively. As with all holidays, both entail specific customs.
Christmas Eve's Yule log
On Christmas Eve (January 6) a Yule log (badnjak) is cut and brought into the house, marking the beginning of the Christmas celebrations. The badnjak is usually taken from a young oak tree or a Turkey oak, which is cut early in the morning the day before and placed in front of the house, while women prepare Christmas cookies, cakes and the Christmas dining table. The name badnjak is associated with a word which means “to stay awake”, as people kept vigil, awaiting Jesus’ birthday.
Christmas Eve gives rise to Christmas Day – when darkness falls, the badnjak and some straw are taken into the house with the greeting: “Good evening! Merry Christmas!” Those who enter are showered with wheat grains and the badnjak is placed next to the fireplace, stove or oven.
After that, some straw is tossed around the home. The lady of the house places some straw beneath a table then hides various sweets, small gifts and toys, which the children look for while clucking like chickens. The straw symbolizes the fact that Christ was born in a cave on some straw. After that, a light dinner of beans and fresh or dried fish is served.
The following morning is Christmas Day, the most joyous of all Christian holidays. Right before dawn, the bells of Orthodox churches herald its arrival and the celebrations. People put on their best clothes and go to church for the Christmas service. They greet one another by saying: “Christ is born!” and: “Indeed, He is born.”
Special guest
On Christmas day, a special guest (položajnik) comes to the house early in the morning and receives a special welcome. He greets the host and goes to the stove, stirs the fire and offers the following: “For every spark that goes up, let it ring as much luck; for every spark that goes up, let it bring as much wealth; and more than anything, let it bring health and happiness. Amen! O God bestow Your grace.’’ Then the guest is served food and given a gift. This special guest represents the Magi who ollowed the star in the East and came to pay obeisance to the newborn Christ.
Early on Christmas morning, dough is prepared for the česnica bread, or festive bread. A coin is placed inside and it is pricked with the badnjak branch, then it is broken at the table into the same number of pieces as there are members of the household. According to tradition, whoever gets the coin will be happy throughout the year. Once this has finished, people exchange Christmas greetings and then sit at the table.
The Orthodox New Year is celebrated seven days after Christmas. The “old New Year”, as some call it, is an informal and traditional Orthodox holiday, and is celebrated to mark the beginning of the Julian calendar. For the past two centuries, the Orthodox New Year has fallen on January 14, which is 13 days later than by the Gregorian calendar.
There are similarities between the Orthodox New Year and the one that falls on January 1st there is an abundance of food, celebrations, music and fireworks.
