The believers of the Orthodox Christian faith this evening in the courtyard of the Old Church of St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Sarajevo, on the eve of the most joyous Christian holiday – Christmas, placed the ‘badnjak’ (oak log or branch) on fire, thus marking the beginning of the Christmas Eve celebration.
The evening service and the burning of badnjak were held in the churchyard.
Metropolitan Chrysostom of Dabrobosna extended congratulations on the occasion of Christmas Eve to the Orthodox believers who in this way announced the arrival of Christmas. Along with the celebration of Christmas Eve, there was also an evening service and consecration.
The burning of the Christmas tree is also a symbol of separation from the old beliefs and the acceptance of the new light that comes with faith in the newborn Christ.
Christmas Eve symbolizes the wood that the shepherds brought to Joseph and Mary to light the fire and warm the cave where Jesus was born. A Christmas tree is usually a young oak or cherry tree. Believers also bring the Christmas tree into the house, which symbolizes happiness, health and progress.
Christmas Eve is a family holiday when people gather around the fasting meal because it is Christmas Eve and the last day of fasting.
Christmas, together with Easter, is the most important holiday for Orthodox believers and preparations for Christmas celebrations start 40 days earlier with a Christmas fast symbolizing the purification of mind and body, Fena reports.
