celebrating the patron saint

Celebrating the patron saint-Krsna

Slava

Krsna SlavaEvery Orthodox family in Serbia has one patron saint. Each family celebrates their saint, on the day when their ancestors were baptized. This same saint is the family's saint from generation to generation through the centuries.

ancestores/преци

The Slava celebration includes:-Icon of the family's patron saint-A lighted candle-Славско жито/koљиво, a boiled wheat dish-Slava bread (Славски колач)-Red wine-A priest

The Slava is a family reunion usually held in the home of the family's oldest living member.

The priest blesses the bread, turns and cuts it as a sign of the cross, it is then passed to everyone.

Priest/свештеник

Sveti Nikola (St. Nicholas) is the patron saint for so many families that there is a Serbian saying for St. Nicholas Day, 6. or 19. December, "Half of Serbia is celebrating their Slava today, and the other half is going to the Slava."

Do you know who Saint Nicolas was?Let’s find out!