Christmas Celebrations in Belgrade

With the blessing of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle, Rt. Rev. Vicar Bishop of Hvostno, Atanasije, will officiate the Holy Pontifical Liturgy on the Day of the Nativity of Christ at the Belgrade Cathedral Church (beogradska Saborna crkva), beginning at nine o'clock a.m.

On Christmas Eve, the Christ's Vigil will be celebrated by Rt. Rev. Vicar Bishop of Hvostno Atanasije at the Church of St. Sava on the Vracar Plateau (Svetosavska crkva na Vracaru), beginning at four o'clock p.m. Together with the clergy of St. Sava's Church, the Bishop will then solemnly lay the Yule log at the St. Sava Plateau. On Tuesday, the second day of Christmas, the holiday of the Synaxis of the Panayia, Rt. Rev. Vicar Bishop of Hvostno Atanasije will officiate the Holy Pontifical Liturgy at St. Mark's Church (crkva Svetog Marka), beginning at nine o'clock a.m.

On Wednesday, January 9, when the Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Stephen the Archdeacon and Protomartyr, Rt. Rev. Vicar Bishop of Hvostno Atanasije will celebrate the Holy Liturgy at the Monastery of Saint Stephen (Manastir Svetog Stefana) in Slanci. Given that the monstery celebrates its Patron Saint's Day, we invite all people of faith to come and join in prayer to our Lord and St. Stephen for the health of Patriarch Pavle, all bishops of the Serbian Church, all clergy members, as well as for the monastery's brotherhod in Slanci.

On Christmas Day, at noon, Rt. Rev. Vicar Bishop of Hvostno Atanasije will preside the congregational breaking of the Christmas bread at the Assembly of the City of Belgrade, in the name of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle. The Christmas bread is being prepared jointly by the Archdiocese of Belgrade-Karlovci and the Serbian Union of Bakeries. This solemnity is to take place for the first time, and the Christmas bread broken at that occasion is intended for all citizens of Belgrade as a symbol of unity and peace, in the days of the bright Nativity of Christ.