A CHRISTMAS TRADITION — The Rev. Stavrophor Rajko Kosic surveys about a hundred small bundles of straw and dried leaves that will be thrown onto a burning yule log during Holy Resurrection Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church’s Christmas service. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — While many have taken down their Christmas trees and put away their decorations until next year, Christians in Eastern Orthodox churches will begin celebrating the holiday today.

The Rev. Stavrophor Rajko Kosic of Holy Resurrection Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church explained that’s because the church and many others of the Eastern Orthodox faith observe the Julian calendar that was in place during Jesus Christ’s birth.

Since 1852, many people have followed the Gregorian calendar, which was adopted in an effort to more accurately reflect the number of days the earth revolves around the sun.

As a result, the Gregorian calendar is ahead of the Julian calendar by 13 days.

Kosic said many people assume Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on a different date but they do celebrate on Dec. 25, it’s just that Dec. 25 arrives at a different time on the church’s calendar.

He noted some Orthodox churches now follow the Gregorian calendar.

Kosic and members of Holy Resurrection Church will gather at 7 p.m. today for services celebrating the birth of Christ.

Because the service is being held tonight, some might think it is a Christmas Eve service but that’s not the case because Serbian Orthodox churches mark the arrival of Christmas Day upon nightfall, a reminder that God created the world from darkness, said Kosic.

Tonight’s service will include the burning of the badnjak, or yule log, outside the church.

Prior to its burning, Kosic will sprinkle onto the badnjak, grains of wheat while praying for a new year that is fruitful and plentiful; wine while praying for good fortune, peace and every blessing of God; and oil while praying for health and progress.

Church members sing traditional Serbian hymns around the fire and are invited to toss small bundles of straw and dried leaves, wrapped with ribbons, onto the burning tree limb.

Kosic said many keep the bundles in vases through the year before bringing them to the service.

He said the burning of the yule log is a reminder of the shepherds who lit a fire to warm the baby Christ after an angel told them of his birth.

He said it also symbolizes the cross on which Christ died for everyone’s sins.

Kosic said it’s also customary to fire three gunshots during the service, with each representing God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. He noted local police are notified in advance, and there have been years when a church member who is in law enforcement has performed the task.

Kosic said the ceremony is followed by a vigil service, inside the church, during which he blesses five loaves of bread, also with wheat, wine and oil.

The loaves are a reminder of the miracle in which Christ fed many with the same amount of bread and two fishes, he noted.

Kosic said following services at Holy Resurrection, attendees are offered a Serbian tea made with boiled brandy mixed with sugar, and a vegetable stew.

After that, many church members return to their homes for late night gatherings with family and friends in the first of three days of Christmas celebration.

He noted they are expected to fast for 40 days prior to the holiday, abstaining from meat, eggs and dairy products, and the celebrating involves various foods.

On Saturday morning, Kosic met with members of the church’s men’s club who were preparing to roast several pigs at the Serbian Picnic Grounds in Weirton.

He said it takes about five hours to fully cook a 50-pound pig, and the meat is distributed to church members who request it for their Christmas meals.

Another Serbian Christmas custom is the baking of cesnica, a round, rich bread or cake in which a coin has been baked. Whoever finds the coin in his piece is said to have good luck all year.

Kosic said as a boy growing up on a farm in Bosnia, he had an extra incentive for finding the coin because it meant his chores would be reduced.

As a father, he insisted his children take only as much cesnica as they would eat to ensure it was fairly divided, he recalled.

Asked whether members exchange gifts, Kosic said there are three Sundays prior to the holiday that are reserved for children to receive gifts, mothers to receive gifts from their children and fathers to receive gifts from their children.

Kosic noted Santa Claus’ origin can be traced to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of Serbia, whose ministry is celebrated by the Serbian Orthodox Church.

But he said when Christmas Day arrives, the church’s members can focus on its spiritual meaning.

“It’s not for presents. It’s for the families to spend time together to celebrate the birth of our lord, Jesus Christ, so he is the center,” said Kosic.