Serbia celebrates Christmas Eve; Yule Log lit in front of St Sava Temple; Fireworks across the country VIDEO

Macut: May Christmas bring strength for mutual understanding, solidarity, and unity

The Prime Minister of Serbia, Prof. Dr. Djuro Macut, extended Christmas greetings today to Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, the clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and believers who celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar, wishing that the holiday bring strength for mutual understanding, solidarity, and unity.

"I wish you to celebrate the greatest Christian holiday in peace, good health, and family warmth. By celebrating Christmas, we are reminded of the importance of harmony, nobility, and charity—values that have preserved and sustained our community for centuries. May the joy of Christ’s birth bring peace, hope, and prosperity into your homes, as well as strength for mutual understanding, solidarity, and unity. I wish you a happy and blessed Christmas," Macut said in his message, according to a statement released by the government.

Yule log lit in front of the Temple of Saint Sava

On Christmas Eve, the traditional yule log lighting ceremony was held in front of the Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade, attended by a large number of worshippers.

As every year, a large crowd gathered in front of the church in the Vračar district, including many parents with children, who together with the clergy lit the yule logs.

Following the blessing of the yule logs, a festive vigil was held, while celebrations of Christmas at the Temple of Saint Sava and other major churches will begin with the midnight liturgy.

Christmas Eve, the night preceding the greatest Christian holiday—Christmas—is traditionally marked across Serbia, as well as in Republika Srpska and Montenegro, where Orthodox believers also gather in front of churches to light yule logs.

The tradition is preserved in front of Serbia’s largest church