Popular Serbian St. Patron's Day - Djurdjevdan

One of the biggest religious holidays in Serbia is coming closer. Traditionally, customs that are respected on this day are coming as well

Friday 4th of May 2018

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The Serbian Orthodox Church and believers on May 6th celebrate St. George's Day (Sveti Djordje) known as Djurdjevdan. The young duke of the Roman Emperor's army defended Christians and was cruelly punished for this. In spite of torture, Diocletian's soldiers did not manage to make him give up the faith of Christ, so his head was cut off on 23rd April according to the old, or 6th May according to the new calendar in 303 BC.

The legend of St. George is still alive and he appears on icons and frescoes as a soldier with a spear and a sword. Saint George is most commonly depicted on a horse killing the dragon that symbolizes polytheism. Traditional customs vary widely across Serbia.


Some customs are related to magic, protection, health and fertility, which indicates that this Christian saint took the place of the old Slavic pagan god of fertility Jarylo. Djurdjevdan - St. Geoge's Day is the border between winter and summer, a holiday of health, marriage, fertility of cattle and good crops. Usually on that day, people knit a wreath of plants, swim in the river and adorn with flowers. Knitting wreaths of St. George' Day flowers is done before dawn and they are used as decoration in front of the yard and home. Young girls put wreaths on their heads or throw them into the river. Common hazel's rod crosses are also dropped into the river.

Djurdjevdan is a holiday for early risers because all actions and preparations are performed in the dawn. Willow, nettle and selenium are St. Geoge's plants. Djurdjevdan reveille is a special family celebration in nature, forest, glade or on the river bank. Various foods and drinks are prepared, and the most important thing is the lamb's roasting.

If there is a clear sky on Djurdjevdan, the year will be fruitful, and if it rains - the summer will be dry. In Serbia, Djurdjevdan is also Roma St. Patron's Day and hence it has a special charm. The most popular song of that day is "Djurdjevdan". The trumpet version is a well-known track, and a special attraction is when DJ and producer Solomun puts this hit into his set.