R I TAM SRBI JE / RHYTHM OF SERBIA Serbia » Srbija | 87 SVETI NIKOLA (19. decembar) Obično se kaže da Nikoljdan polovina Srba slavi, a druga polovina ide na slavu, tako da je ovaj dan skoro pa nacionalni praznik. Ovaj slavni svetitelj rođen je u Likiji, u gradu Patari, oko 270. Vođen nebeskim glasom, širio je po narodu veru, pravdu i milosrđe. Molitvama je more krotio i brodare od bura spasavao, kaže predanje, pa se smatra zaštitnikom moreplovaca i svih putnika, ali i dece, učenih ljudi, trgovaca. Sveti Nikola pada u vreme velikog božićnog posta, pa vernici pripremaju isključivo ribu i drugu posnu hranu. VEROVANJA: Na Nikoljdan nerotkinje treba de se mole Svetom Nikoli, a zabranjeno je obavljanje ženskih ručnih radova. Postoji i verovanje da na Svetog Nikolu ne treba nikoga podsećati na dug. Budući da je Sveti Nikola poznat i kao zaštitnik dece, od davnina je postojao običaj da se na dan kada se ovaj svetac slavi, daruju deca orasima, jabukama i slatkišima. Tokom noći, dok deca spavaju, Sveti Nikola bi im ostavio darove u cipele ili pokraj prozora. Deca bi naročito za taj dan očistila svoje cipele i stavila ih blizu kreveta kako bi se ujutru prvo njima obradovala. SVETI JOVAN KRSTITELJ (20. januar) Dan po Bogojavljenju posvećen je svetitelju i proroku koji je krstio Isusa Hrista na reci Jordan i prethodno najavio njegov dolazak. Sveti Jovan je od mladosti bio posvećen veri i uzor je poštenja i pravdoljublja. VEROVANJA: Na svetog Jovana vernici, po mogućstvu, u ruke ne uzimaju nož, a deci se ne daje ništa crveno. Ne jede se i ne pije ništa što je crveno, jer ta boja simbolizuje nevino prolivenu svetiteljevu krv. Narodni običaji kažu da na ovaj dan žene nikako ne treba da diraju pletivo, makaze niti igle, ali je zato idealan dan za polazak na put jer ćete imati zaštitu ovog sveca. that the Archangel wanders the world during this time dressed as a beggar, in order to berate infidels and help the needy, so poor peoplemustn’t be drivenaway fromone’s doorstep because the poor person at your doormight be the Archangel Michael himself. SAINT NICHOLAS (19th December) It is commonly said that half of all Serbs celebrate St. Nicholas and the other half attend the Slava celebration, so this day is virtually a national holiday. This famous saint was born in the city of Patara, in the region of Lycia, around 270 AD. Led by a heavenly voice, he spread faith, justice and mercy among the people. Legend has it that he calmed the sea with prayers and savedmariners fromstorms, which is why he is considered the patron saint of sailors and all travellers, but also children, academics and merchants. The Slava of Saint Nicholas is marked during the period of the great Christmas Lent, so believers exclusively prepare fish and other Lenten foods. BELIEFS: infertile women should pray to St. Nicholas on this day, while women are forbidden from working with their hands. It is also believed that nobody shouldbe remindedof a debt. Given that Saint Nicholas is also known as the patron saint of children, it has long been customary to gift children nuts, apples and sweets on the day that this Slava is celebrated. During the night, while children are sleeping, SaintNicholas would leave them gifts in their shoes or beside their windows. Childrenwould clean their shoes specially for that dayandplace themclose to their beds, in order to be able to first rejoice in them the following morning. SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST (20th January) The day following the Epiphany is dedicated to the saint and prophet who baptised Jesus Christ on the River Jordan after having previously announced his arrival. Saint John was dedicated to faith fromchildhood and represents a rolemodel of honesty and righteousness.BELIEFS:believersshouldn’tholdaknife in their hands on St. John’s Day, if they can avoid it, while children shouldn’t be given anything that’s red in colour. Nothing red should be eaten or drunk either, because the colour symbolises the shedding of the innocent saint’s blood. According to folk customs, women shouldnever touchknittingneedles, scissors or other needles on this day, but it is actually the ideal day to head out on a journey, because you will enjoy the protection of this saint. Tekst/Words: Jelena Pantović Fotografije / Photography: Arhiva / Archive FOTO:Profimedia.rs / Godong / Robertharding FOTO:Profimedia.rs / Zvonimir Atletic / Panthermedia
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