Serbian Orthdox Christmas

Christmas for Serbs who are Christian Orthodox, comes two weeks later than that of Roman Catholics. Serbs do not celebrate Christmas on December 25th, but on January 7th. Also they celebrate New Year on January 13th rather than on December 31st. 

This is because the Serbs follow the Julian calendar created under the reign of Julius Caesar in 45 BC., while Roman Catholics follow the Gregorian calendar originally proposed by Pope Gregory in 1582. But in much of the former Soviet Union and Middle East they remain on the Julian calendar.

The Serbian name for Christmas Eve during the day is "Badnji dan". After sunset it becomes Badnje veče. On this day the family makes preparations for the oncoming celebration. Early in the morning the head of each family, usually accompanied by several male relatives, selects a tree from which a log will be cut for their household. 

When the head of home finds an appropriate tree, he stands in front of it facing east. The tree should fall to the east, unhindered by nearby trees. If the tree is not cut down after the third blow of the axe, then it must be pulled and twisted until its trunk breaks. Once in the home, the "badnjak" is cut into three logs correspondingly with the number of men, the women, and the children. It is then place in fire for good fortune for the household.

Christmas Day is in fact only the first day of Christmas. The festivity is announced at dawn by church bells, and by shooting from guns. During the Twelve Days of Christmas (January 7 – January 18 on the Gregorian calendar), one is to greet another person with "Christ is Born," which should be responded to with "Truly He is Born." 

A "polažajnik", is the first person who visits a family during Christmas. This visit may be unexpected or pre-arranged. People believe that it will summon prosperity and for their family in the following year.