KRSNA SLAVA

 

The Orthodox Christian families in Serbia and Montenegro all have their own patron saint.

Each family then celebrates the Saints feast day with a unique Serbian Orthodox religious tradition in the form of Thanksgiving.

This is done on the anniversary of when their ancestors were baptized because when Serbians accepted Christianity whole families, villages or tribes where baptized at the same time.

The same saint is passed down through the generations.

Sveti Nikola or St. Nicholas is the patron saint for more than half of all the Serbian families and as a result many people celebrate on the 6^th of December, either with their own family or as a guest elsewhere.

This is the Krsna Slava.

Krsna Slava is not just feasting, singing, and festival, but more importantly it’s a time of spiritual renewal and rededication to the Orthodox faith and church.

The Slava is also a family reunion usually held in the home of the family's oldest living member to commemorate the patron saint.

An Icon of the family's patron saint is on display and a candle, for Christ the Light of the World is lit.
A boiled wheat dish, representing Christ's death and resurrection is served with Slava bread decorated with cross and seal, for Jesus Christ the Bread of Life.
Red wine, for the blood of Christ's washing away sin.
A priest blesses the home and all within and all offer the prayer of Thanksgiving before the icon.

Serbian Orthodox observes Krsna Slava wherever they are live, not just in Serbia.

It is a very important day for the Serbian Orthodox church.