The Polozajnik—first Guest at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church on Christmas

The Polozajnik—First Guest at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church on Christmas Day 2021 Nicholas Thomas (Altar Helper)

A special gift is prepared for this First Guest (in the old days in Serbia, it was a scarf or wool stockings) and he or she is given the reserved piece of česnica(made from corn wheat. The polozajnik (First Guest), whether young or old, male or female, is said to come in the name of God with best wishes.

First Guest on Christmas Day at Church is also called Polozajnik (First Guest) who also receive gift from the Church.

After dinner, Christmas Day is spent receiving and visiting friends and family. The first visitor to one's home on Christmas Day is known as the polozajnik or polаznik. A special gift is prepared for this First Guest (in the old days in Serbia, it was a scarf or wool stockings) and he or she is given the reserved piece of česnica. In the old days, the Polozajnik (First Guest) would take a branch from the Badnjak(Yule Log) and stir up the fire in the hearth. The more sparks (representing God's blessings for the family) he or she created, the better.

Source: Eastern American Diocese