Christmas Day

**Christmas Day in Serbia** is celebrated on **January 7th**, following the **Julian calendar** observed by the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is one of the most significant religious and family holidays in Serbia, marked by rich traditions, festive meals, and spiritual reflection. The celebration begins on **Christmas Eve (Badnji Dan)** on January 6th, when families gather to prepare a special dinner that includes fish, beans, and other fasting foods, as it is the last day of the 40-day Advent fast. A central tradition is the burning of the **Badnjak**, an oak branch or log, symbolizing the warmth and light of the hearth and the birth of Jesus Christ. On Christmas Day, families attend church services and exchange greetings with the traditional phrase **"Hristos se rodi" (Christ is born)**, to which the response is **"Vaistinu se rodi" (Indeed, He is born)**. The festive meal includes roasted pork, **česnica** (a special Christmas bread with a coin hidden inside for good luck), and other traditional dishes. The holiday is a time for family gatherings, gift-giving, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Serbian Christmas is deeply rooted in both Christian and pre-Christian Slavic traditions, making it a unique blend of religious and cultural heritage.