Slava in the city manner

The most important religious holiday of every family and a real reason for gathering at home

Sunday 16th of December 2018

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Slava (St. Patron's Day) was first mentioned in 1018. Exactly a thousand years later, a lot has changed. The essence has not and definitely never will change. Slava, celebration of family saint patron’s day, was inscribed on the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under the protection of UNESCO, and this is the first cultural heritage from Serbia that has been inscribed on the important list.

The first ten centuries preserved the essence of marking the St. Patron's Day. This social and religious holiday is studied by theologians, ethnologists, sociologists and many others. All, led by the Serbian Orthodox Church, agree that the celebration of the family saint patron’s day is in fact the day when people received Christianity. In fact, it is a cult since the time of the Church of St. Sava. It is crucial to nurture the family-religious tradition and, more importantly, to transfer it to the upcoming generations.

Slava is celebrated in the house. The family home is the place where the closest ones gather. Slava cake, candle, wheat, wine and incense are the basis for celebrating slava. According to the customs, there is consecration of the family Slava cakes in the church or priest comes to the home address and performs religious rituals.


The city's slava alongside of being religious is also a social event. On that day, family members are at home, they do not go to work, children do not go to school and everything is subordinated to celebration. Slava in the city is quite different from village slava because there is no possibility for numerous customs. Slava in the city is celebrated in a more modern style. There is a gastronomic spectacle on the table and an impressive offer of drinks. Musicians are often called to beautify the celebration. Regardless of the trends, slava atmosphere is priceless.

Sveti Nikola (St. Nicholas) is the most famous and the biggest slava in Serbia. There are numerous families that are celebrating slava on 19th December. It is known - who does not celebrate, he goes to slava. In the period of the year when the red letter in the calendar is a frequent occurrence, slavas go one after the other, it is difficult to respect all the hosts. However, it is not polite not to accept the invitation. Regardless of whether you are celebrating or visiting, try to be up the task. At any time, keep in mind the point of celebrating slava and pay less attention to the preparation of outfits, gifts and things like that. If you have some disagreements with the organizers of slava or the guests, just leave them behind on this day. It is good to do so. After all, as the old slogan says: Only Unity Saves the Serb.