SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS

The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas, the day of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, the most joyful Christian holiday.

At the moment of Christ's birth, who came into the world to save all humanity from sin and eternal doom, a star illuminated the Bethlehem cave, and angels sang in the heavens, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men."

The first to worship the Christ child were shepherds, who offered a lamb as a gift, followed by the three wise men who brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

For Serbs, Christmas is a holiday rich in customs, beginning with attending the morning liturgy. At this service, those who observed the Christmas fast partake in the Holy Communion.

After the liturgy, families gather around the Christmas table, pray to God, and sing the troparion "Your Nativity, O Christ our God," before breaking the česnica—a special bread containing a coin. It is believed that the person who finds the coin in their piece of bread will have a particularly fortunate year ahead.

Christmas is a family holiday, and visiting others is avoided on this day, except for the položajnik—the first guest to visit the home, traditionally a male family friend, godfather, or neighbor. The položajnik brings blessings and is the first to congratulate the family on Christmas.

Christmas is celebrated for three days, and the traditional greeting among believers is "Peace of God – Christ is Born," with the response, "Indeed, He is Born."