our christmas

[tweets 0]

so, many of you were surprised when some of us said we celebrate christmas on 7th of january, instead on 25th december
explanation is simple - we're ortodox
we celebrate it then, because of those calendar changes (gregorian, julian, idk....)

here is how we traditionaly celebrate it

on 6th january, in the morning, father of the family, and all other males go to the woods, and chop of an old branch of oak
when they get home with it, females take a bowl of corn, and ''throw'' it on them
then, kids take come candy, and decorate the branch
the greeting (in serbian) is Sretan Badnji dan! or in the evening, Sretno Badnje vece! (something like, merry christmas eve...)
they have fish for lunch, but before eating, they must take a home made bread, that has a penny in it
the one who gets the penny in his/her piece of bread, will be lucky in this year


on 7th january, in the morning, the youngest male in the family takes a part of the branch, and burns it, while singing
then, parents/grandparents give gifts to the children (but the gifts are small, like, socks or something like that )
the greeting on christmas day is (also in serbian) Hristos se rodi! and the answer is Vaistinu se rodi! (idk to translate that )
for lunch, they have roast turkey or pork

that's about it....

[Lucky Strike 0]

i didn't knew those things... nice!

as for the translation... goes something like... christ rose (rise-rose-risen) and trully/indeed rose!

funny thing is i know that from my country! the expresion atleast! (not the words)

[Tiddly Winks 0]

Today it is called here, 'Heilige Drei Könige' The day of the three kings. It generally marks the end of the Christmas season.

[myladyyawo 0]

wow thank you for sharing this! It is so interesting to learn about others traditions I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with your family!

[kasijab 0]

Here in the UK today is called 12th night when all decorations come down and the holiday season ends ....though there is no particular celebration that I know of

[lea75 0]

thank you so much for sharing that!
I love hearing about different cultures xx

[tweets 0]

Lucky Strike wrote:

i didn't knew those things... nice!

as for the translation... goes something like... christ rose (rise-rose-risen) and trully/indeed rose!

funny thing is i know that from my country! the expresion atleast! (not the words)

roughly, chist is born... smn like that...

myladyyawo wrote:

wow thank you for sharing this! It is so interesting to learn about others traditions I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with your family!

thank you!

kasijab wrote:

Here in the UK today is called 12th night when all decorations come down and the holiday season ends ....though there is no particular celebration that I know of

yes, 12 days (13? 14? not sure) is the difference between gregorian and julian calendar.... it all makes sence!!!

lea75 wrote:

thank you so much for sharing that!
I love hearing about different cultures xx