His Eminence Metropolitan Hrizostom of Dabro-Bosnia served Vespers in the Church of the Holy Archangels Gabriel and Michael in Baščaršija in Sarajevo, where the laying of the Christmas tree was then performed.
In his sermon before numerous believers, Metropolitan Hrizostom spoke about the symbolism of the Christmas tree, Christmas Eve and the joy of Christmas.
“Today we begin to celebrate the great feast of His Nativity,” said Metropolitan Hrizostom, emphasizing that Christmas Eve is a symbol of the warmth and love shown by the shepherds.
After the evening service, sweets were distributed to the children, and the gathered people were served mulled wine and brandy.
Metropolitan Hrizostom will serve the Holy Bishop’s Liturgy tomorrow, on Christmas Day, at 9:00 a.m. in the Cathedral Church in Sarajevo.
On the second day of Christmas, on Wednesday, January 8, the Metropolitan will serve the Holy Bishop’s Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. in the Temple of the Holy Prophet Elijah in Sokolac.
Orthodox believers in Mostar announced the arrival of Christmas by lighting a Christmas tree
Orthodox believers in Mostar tonight, on the eve of Christmas, marked Christmas Eve with an evening service, consecration and lighting of a Christmas tree in the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The elder of the Cathedral in Mostar, Duško Kojić, sent a strong message for the coming Christmas in a statement for Fena, calling for peace, joy and mutual understanding. He stressed the importance of preserving peace in the world and appealed that tragedies, such as those that marked the previous time, should not be repeated.
“Let’s try to save each other and others from ourselves. Let’s be better and try to avoid the unpleasant scenes we watched. War in the world should be stopped if at all possible, and that is possible only if we follow the messages of the Gospel – said Kojić, emphasizing the words of Christ: “Love one another as the Heavenly Father loves you. When I come the second time, if I find there is love among you, I will recognize you as my disciples and followers”.
He concluded that love for one’s neighbors brings peace and togetherness.
“If we follow Christ and his commandments, we will have love among us, and where there is love, there is concern for each other,” he said.
During Christmas Day, holy liturgies were held in the morning in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mostar, Žitomislić Monastery and the village of Lokve, then evening services with the laying of the Christmas tree in Mostar, Žitomislić and Bijelo Polje, and the Christmas tree will also be laid in the church of St. Vasilij Ostroški in Blagaj in the late evening hours.
The Christmas tree, usually a young oak or cherry tree, has a deep symbolic meaning in the Orthodox tradition. According to tradition, it represents the wood that the shepherds brought to the Holy Family to light the fire and warm the cave where Christ was born. In the homes of believers, the Christmas tree symbolizes well-being, health and spiritual light, while its lighting signifies parting with old beliefs and accepting the light of Christ.
Christmas Eve, as part of a rich tradition, represents a family holiday when household members gather around a fasting table. Christmas Day is also the last day of the forty-day Christmas fast, during which believers prepare spiritually and physically for the celebration of Christ’s birth, Srna writes.
Orthodox believers in Mostar and all over the world will welcome Christmas tomorrow with liturgies and family gatherings with the traditional greeting: “Peace of God! Christ is born!”
Photo: Srna news agency
