Orthodox Christian Serbs burn "badnjaks", oak branches with leaves, to celebrate Christmas Eve

Record ID: 163133

  • Title: Orthodox Christian Serbs burn "badnjaks", oak branches with leaves, to celebrate Christmas Eve
  • Date: 6th January 2017
  • Summary: PEOPLE CROSSING THEMSELVES IN FRONT OF ICONS INSIDE ST. SAVA CHURCH PEOPLE LIGHTING CANDLES WOMAN HOLDING BADNJAK LIGHTING CANDLE EXTERIOR OF ST SAVA CHURCH
  • Embargoed: 21st January 2017 17:00
  • Keywords: Orthodox Christian Christmas Eve oak branches logs badnjaks
  • Location: BELGRADE, SERBIA
  • City: BELGRADE, SERBIA
  • Country: Serbia
  • Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA0035XXZHH5
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Orthodox Christians in Belgrade celebrated Christmas Eve on Friday (January 6) with the burning of "badnjaks", oak branches with dried leaves, and a visit to church.
    In the Serbian capital a badnjak fire was set in front of the church of St. Sava, with the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej, in attendance.
    According to the custom, the badnjak, a Slavic relative of the Yule Log, is cut by the father of the family and his eldest son on the morning of the day before Christmas. In the cities, most people who want them buy them from vendors in markets and on the streets.
    During the day, the branches hang from the household door - though in the cities they often adorn cars as well. Many Christians spread straw across the floor in their homes to emulate the nativity scene, particularly in the countryside. The badnjaks are burnt in the evening.
    The arrival of Christmas on January 7, which begins with a midnight liturgy, ends four weeks of fasting during which those who adhere refrain from consuming meat and dairy products.
    Serbia is one of 16 Orthodox Christian nations, including Russia, where the church still uses the Julian calendar. The calendar has been in use since 45 B.C. when it was introduced by Julius Ceasar. Astronomically inaccurate, it was gradually replaced by the Gregorian calendar by most countries in secular life.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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