Slava is a Serbian Orthodox Christian tradition of faith and family. It is the veneration of one’s family’s patron saint, which is typically celebrated annually on the feast day of that saint. The slava dates back to pre-Christian times when a cult of ancestors was very strong.
In fact, many of the customs associated with the slava have their origins in pagan rituals. However, since the adoption of Christianity by the Slavic peoples in the 9th century, the slava has been firmly entrenched as a Christian tradition. While it may have started out as a way to honor one’s ancestors, today the slava in Serbia is primarily about celebrating one’s faith and family.
How Serbs celebrate Slava?
Slava is a Serbian Orthodox holiday that celebrates the patron saint of a family. Each family has its own Slava, passed down from generation to generation. The holiday is celebrated with a feast, and oftentimes includes friends and extended family.
There are dozens of different ways of celebrating Slava depending on the region in Serbia, but there are some customs that are the same everywhere. For example, the head of the household will usually light a candle in front of an icon of the saint (a candle that is never to be blown out but let it burn out), and say a prayer. A blessing is also given by the priest during the church service.
Feasting is an important part of Slava, and often includes traditional Serbian dishes such as roast pork or lamb, stuffed peppers, and various kinds of pies. Toasts are also made to honor the saint and wish for health and prosperity for the family.
Serbs say that you are only invited to a Slava for the first time. The following times you are already considered invited, and consider yourself lucky if you are able to attend. Families take great pride in their Slavas, and it is considered an honor to be invited to one.
A guest’s arrival to the family Slava is welcomed by the hosts who offer the guests to take a spoon of ceremonial wheat (koljivo) as a welcome and a celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
The table will be set, usually in front of the painting of the saint protector, and you might notice some of the plates turned upside down. That is for the deceased family members that are honored this way, by leaving them a seat at the table.
The feast at Slavas
The feast begins with an abundance of appetizers: dry meat, cheese, salads, pies, ajvar (a roasted pepper and eggplant spread), kajmak (a creamy dairy spread), and cornbread, known as “proja”. This is also the time to offer a piece of ceremonial bread (Slavski kolač).
This is usually followed by soup or ragu broth. A Slava is incomplete without the stuffed sour cabbage rolls, filled with minced meat and rice, known as sarma. If the Slava is celebrated at the time of fasting, the sour cabbage is replaced either with mangold or grape leaves, and the meat is replaced with various vegetables and nuts, and they are equally as delicious. Trust me, there is a reason why diets are prone to fail and sarma is a top suspect, as there is no one who doesn’t like them.
The main dish is usually roasted lamb or pork – or really, any other meat (again, fasting time means meat is replaced with fish). But regardless of the main course, there are always many, many sorts of dishes served with a side of anything pickled that season.
At the end of the meal, clean plates and utensils are placed in front of the guests and the meat stays out as long as even one guest is in the house. This is also the time when they bring out the cake and a myriad of desserts. Also, if you haven’t done it already, this is the perfect time to unbutton your pants, because it’s not over yet.
Živeli! Cheers!
A key part of the festivities is the consumption of alcohol, as Serbs love to toast and be toasted to. So, the formal dinner is done, but the food stays on the table. But the hosts won’t only pressure you to eat as if their lives depended on it, but they will also insist your glass never be empty. Serbs will never miss an opportunity to toast each other, more often than not, with rakija. After a couple of rounds of rakija, the thirst is quenched mostly with beer. Well, for the first-timer at a Slava, all we have to say is, good luck!
Upcoming Slava dates
If you wish to experience this joyous day in Serbia, there is truly no better time to visit, than starting right now. Some of the most celebrated Slavas are in the wintertime:
- November 8th – Saint Demetrius
- November 16th – Saint George
- November 21st – Saint Michael the Archangel
- December 19th – Saint Nicholas
- January 9th – Saint Stephen
- January 20th – Saint John
- May 6th – Saint George (for the second time)
But, that is not all! Serbs celebrate over 80 saints and slavas. So book with us if you wish to experience a celebration like no other!
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