What is Serbian slava and how do we celebrate it?

Serbia is one of the rare countries with a rich Orthodox heritage and is proud to showcase it in the modern world which tends to contradict its traditional values. Serbian slava is one of those traditional practices that is still preserved and very much present in Serbian homes. When you start discovering it, you will see that it is more than just a celebration – its roots go back to the barely known beginnings of the Serbian state and serve as a mirror to faith, family, and cultural identity. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Slava (adapted to English as family saint patron’s day) is unique to Serbian Orthodox Christians, and everyone is welcome to join its celebration. Here’s everything you need to know about this cherished custom.

Serbian slava

Serbian Orthodox slava

The first thing to know about slava is that it represents the annual celebration of a family’s patron saint. What brought this custom and why do families in Serbia have their patron saint’s day? Well, the custom could be traced back to the pagan practices of the ancestral Slavic peoples. Namely, a similar familial ceremony of veneration used to exist. It is believed this ceremony was so important to the people, that slava as we know it today represents the Christianised version that celebrates the first ancestors to get baptised. You will also find that slava is also known as krsna slava, from the words krstiti, krštenje (to baptise, baptism).

The most common slava saints include Saint Nicholas (Sveti Nikola), Saint George (Sveti Đorđe), Saint Michael (Sveti arhanđel Mihailo) and Saint John the Baptist (Sveti Jovan Krstitelj). There is also Paraskeva of the Balkans (Sveta Petka), a female saint worshipped as a protector of women in the Orthodox communities in Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova.

Unlike bank or communal holidays, slava is celebrated on different days throughout the year, depending on the family’s chosen saint – here are the most common ones:

  • Sveti Nikola/ Nikoljdan: 19th December
  • Sveti Đorđe/ Đurđevdan: 6th May
  • Sveti Jovan/ Jovanjdan: 20th January
  • Mitrovdan: 8th November
  • Sveti arhanđel Mihailo/ Aranđelovdan: 21st November
  • Sveti Sava/Savindan: 27th January
  • Sveta Petka: 27th October

These are some special dates for each family, a time to honour the faith and the bond between generations.

Serbian slava traditions

Slava is undoubtedly steeped in tradition, with rituals passed down through centuries. Let’s see what a typical slava day looks like.

Before slava, a priest often blesses the home. They come and greet the family and sprinkle drops of holy water around the house (and upon the family members as well). In Serbia, we say that the priest comes da osvešta dom – to make the home a holy place and pray for the family’s health and wellbeing. Central to the event are the slava bread (slavski kolač) and wheat dish (koljivo), symbolising Christ and the cycle of life and death.

The slava bread is not your daily white or rye loaf, but an intricately decorated delicious bun with a heart dipped in wine. Don’t hesitate to break a piece of this sweet bread with your fingers and pour a little wine over it for good health! Soon you’ll be joined by at least a couple of other guests, gathering around for fellowship, storytelling, and, of course, food! The atmosphere at a family slava is warm and welcoming, embodying the Serbian spirit of hospitality.

The Serbian slava candle

The candle holds a special place at the slava, being a great symbol of hope. It is one of the striking elements at the table, partly due to its size but more importantly, because it is lit at the start of the celebration and burns throughout the whole day, symbolising the light of faith and the presence of the patron saint. What is more, this candle ought to be made of natural beeswax and is modestly decorated with the image of the saint.

As the candle flickers, it contributes to the special and sacred atmosphere of a home.

Slava food: A feast to remember

Slava celebrations are incomplete without a grand feast! The type of food depends on whether the day falls during a fasting period (posna slava) or not (mrsna slava). In any case, everyone’s in for a mighty meal at a slava.

For fasting slavas, you can expect dishes like pies, fish stew (riblja čorba), stuffed peppers/cabbage with rice, and different kinds of salads, grilled or fried fish. Needless to say, it all goes well with some homemade ajvar (red pepper spread) and pickled veggies (turšija).

The indulgence is equally as great at the non-fasting slavas. Among plates of roast pork or lamb, there is sarma, cheese pies, and plenty of desserts.

We can freely say that food is one of the major reasons slava celebrations sometimes take up to three days!

How to say Happy slava! in Serbian

If you’re attending a slava, it’s customary to greet the host with a simple “Srećna slava!” (Happy Slava!). This simple phrase conveys your good wishes and respect for their family tradition, and you can also add “Srećna slava, domaćine!” – domaćin can be translated as a host, although it has a more personable ring to it in the Serbian community.

Another common greeting is “Da slavimo još mnogo godina!” (May we celebrate for many more years!) 

What to bring to a Serbian slava?

Wondering what to bring as a guest? Serbian hospitality is legendary, and while you’ll be treated like family, it is always thoughtful to arrive with a small gift. This could be a bottle of wine or rakija and a box of chocolates.

If you are good at making desserts, feel free to contribute to the feast with some domestic delicacies.

All in all, don’t overthink it – the key is to show appreciation and respect for the host’s efforts.

How to celebrate Serbian slava like a local?

If you’re hosting or attending a slava for the first time, go with the flow and embrace the experience! Participate in the prayers, savour the food, and enjoy the lively conversations. A wonderful way to connect with Serbian culture is to ask questions about the family’s patron saint and the history behind their celebration – the latter is guaranteed to have some hilarious stories!

Don’t forget one more thing, as we say in Serbia: “Na slavu se ne zove, na slavu se dolazi!” (You don’t get invited to a slava, you come to a slava!).

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