Serbian History 101

 Mir Bozji, Hristos se Rodi!  Vaistinu se rodi!

 Peace of God, Christ is born!  Indeed he is born!

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American Serb kids always considered themselves so lucky, because they had "TWO" Christmases (and if you were lucky enough to have Sveti Nikola as your Slava, it was like you had THREE!)

How's that? Well, in our house, we celebrated what we called "American" Christmas on Dec. 25 with most of the other people of the world.  To us, it was Santa Claus, a decorated Christmas tree and presents that we opened in earnest.  Only six days before on Dec. 19, however, we also got a present of sorts: a long heavy-duty cotton-nylon stocking filled with apples, oranges and nuts and a silver dollar at the bottom that came from St. Nicholas.

But our "REAL" Christmas, we knew, the celebration of the Birth of Jesus, was on January 7.  We never went to school that day, nor on our Slava! We went to church, and celebrated the great day with our larger Eastern Orthodox Christian family!

Is Serbian Christmas still celebrated? 

Yes, American Serbs are STILL celebrating their unique heritage guarded so jealously and handed down from generation to generation.

Mir Bozji, Hristos se Rodi!

Peace on Earth, Christ is Born, glorify Him!

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Badnji Dan (January 6th) in Aliquippa, PA.

The young oak tree, the "Badnjak" or Yule Log is loaded into the truck after the St Elijah Choir sang "Rozdestvo" and the V.Rev. Fr. Stepanov blessed the tree especially planted for just his occasion.

Ready to go back to others waiting at church. 

Watching the sparks in front of the church center.

 _________Badnjace, Badnjace_________

Oj Badnjace, badnjace, ti nas stari rodjace,

Dobro si nam doshao, i u kuchu ushao

Mili Srpski badnjace, ti nas stari rodjace

Badnjace, badnjace, rodjace, rodjace. 

Click here to hear children in Belgrade singing this song to the Yule Log.

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Members of the Ohio Valley Marine Corps detachment are an important part of the ceremonies  each year at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh.  They send off a 21-gun salute to the Badnjak, making the ceremony even more colorful for the many families gathered.

Families gathered together at Holy Trinity in Pittsburgh's White Hall section on Badnje Vece.

Each family takes home a piece of the Badjnak to an honored place in the home for Serbian Christmas.

Everybody loves the closeness of family!

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And from Holy Trinity's PAST Christmas Eve Badnjak services is this photo with V. Rev. Fr. Milan Savich, Sam Vignovic and Mike Milan by fire.

Press on the link below to learn more about Serbian Christmas Customs courtesy of the Serbian Unity Congress (S.U.C.)  where you'll find great info about the "Polaznik"-representing Christ himself coming into the World!

Serbian Christmas Customs  <----click here

Or:

On the morning of 7th January, at Christmas, the first man who comes into our house is called the "Položajnik". He come full of good wishes and with a good heart. He brings happiness to the family.

The Položajnik takes his stick and stirs up the embers in the fire and says:

Položajnik štapom promješa žar u vatri i kaže:

"Koliko varnica, toliko ovaca! Koliko varnica, toliko novaca! Koliko varnica, toliko zdravlja!" 

Положајник штапом промјеша жар у ватри и каже:

"Колико варница, толико оваца! Колико варница, толико новаца! Колико варница, толико здравља!" 

"As many sparks, may you be blessed with as many sheep! As many sparks, may so much money and riches come to the family! As many sparks, so to you all good health!"

The family offers him kolivo (wheat & sugar and nuts) and red wine, which he takes prior to leading the Blessing for the family. Before lunch, while the fire burns, the family readies the roasted pig and everything else for Christmas dinner. For sure on the table would be found "schlivovitz" -old plum brandy, dry figs, shenitsa (wheat grown since St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 19) , which harvests indicates a happy year.

Hosts and guests stand around the table, and the head of the family, usually the father, lights a candle. This moment marks the beginning of "Mirboženja" (peace and reconciliation). Everyone says, "Mir Bozji, Hristos se Rodi!" (Peace of God, Christ is born!) Then they all kiss each other to the peace of God! If there were any disagreements and quarrels before, all is forgotten. "Vaistinu se rodi!" -Indeed He is Born! goes the refrain! 

Nick's picture entitled "Teti Ann Finds the Coin!" dated  1/7/79 shows Nick's aunt jumping up into the air, kicking her heels together in joy after finding the  coin in the Cesnica (kolach), knowing she is promised "Good Luck" in the coming year.  Note the pig's head on the table with the apple in his mouth, the 3 homemade beeswax candles, the straw and coins under the table, and the St. George painting to the far right! 

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Here's a photo from the past.  This photo was prepared for Milan Karlo who was anxious to fit it in his January, 1948 issue of American SERB LIFE. However, in those days, months were needed ahead of time to publish the information.  This photo was taken in October or November of 1947 so it could be included in the Christmas issue.  The "straw" my grandfather, Nikola Mamula, was reaching for was nothing but crushed-up paper in a bag.  Our 'psenica' was a snake plant!  But at least Baba had time to make us a Pogacha for the procession! 

Sister Rose is the smallest walking, cousin Marty An is behind her, and I'm the tallest walking. Cousin Paul is in Aunt Marty Belosh's arms. Papi was 77 yrs. old at the time.)

Papi (Nikola Mamula married Andja Mamula on December 7, 1900 in Pittsburgh, PA) making the three Beeswax candles for us.

From the Christmas issue, American SERB LIFE magazine, January, 1948, Milan Karlo, Editor and Photographer

 From a speech given by Milan Karlo for the First Serbian Youth Conference in Pittsburgh during the 40th Anniversary celebration of the SNF.

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 Our grandparents would be proud to know that we're still keeping the family traditions alive!

More Photos:Christmas Day with the Family

"Oce Nas" (Our Father) prayers are said first, followed by a chorus of "Rozdestvo!"- Jesus' Birth! The straw was under the table representing the manger where Jesus was born, and the "dushitsa" candle was lit to remember all of our ancestors.

 And then the passing of the bread (pogacha/kolac/chesnica) with the lucky coin!

 
Wait!  Who's coming to add  to our  Xmas  joy?

Baba Cheri tells Michael how lucky he is to be Serbian!

"Oro se vije, kraj monastira!"

Rozdestvo Tvoje

Rozdestvo Tvoje, Hriste Boze nas, Vozsija mirovi sjet razuma Vnembo zvjezdam sluzasci zvjezdoju ucahusja. Tjebje klanjatisja solncu pravdi; I tebje vjedjeti svisoti vostoka, Gospodi, slava Tebje!

 Роздество Твоје, Христе Бозе нас, Возсија миров сјети разума Внембо звјезда слузасци звјездоју уцахусја. Тјебје клањатисја солнцу правди; И тебја вједјети свисоти востока, Господи, слава тебја!

Here's an old version of "Rozdestvo" from Steve Kozobarich's blog on old Serbian music.

"Rozdestvo"  <------click here to hear

(Thy Nativity)

Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, Raised the light of knowledge in the world; And those who worshiped the stars were thought by the stars To worship Thee, O sun of Justice, And to know Thee as the East of the heights, O Lord, glory to Thee!

Happy Holidays to ALL! 

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From a Christmas card purchased in the Serbian Orthodox Church in Lansing, IL

You can zoom to make this bigger!  Enjoy!
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Here's a great story about the wonderful ZIVKOVICH family of Pittsburgh's Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral keeping their Christmas traditions alive:

"Celebrating the HOLY days: Serbian Orthodox Recognize the Season Through Practices Rich in Tradition," by Dona Dreeland, Pine Creek Journal of January 8, 2009, p. 13, 19.

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From the American SRBOBRAN (Amerikanski SRBOBRAN) Sreda, 20 Maya, 1992,  R'cvd.12/28/09

A PRAYER

by Olivera Beljakovich-Terzich (1922-1990)

Christmas 1967

In exile  

Translated by her son, Dr. Branko Terzic

Божић долази, све се cпрема

Hа огњиштy Ватра Гори  

 Песма се пева

 Песма Богу за Слободу

Песма Богу и свом роду

Песма мајци и даљини

Песма нама у тудјини 

Док се слави име тровје

Док се песме теби поје

Узвати нам мили Богу

Спрском роду ти слободу 

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Christmas approaches, busily we prepare

A fire blazes on the hearth,

Carols fill the air.

Carols to God and liberty,

Carols to God and family, 

As long as Your glory we celebrate,

As long as Your hymns we venerate,

A Carol to a mother's distant grace

A Carol for us, strangers in this place. 

Return us dear God so we may see,

Our Serbian nation again free. 

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Božić dolazi, sve se sprema

Ha ognjišty Vatra Gori

 Pjesma se pjeva

 Pjesma Bogu za Slobodu

Pjesma Bogu i svom rodu

Pesma majci i daljini

Pjesma nama u tudjini

Dok se slavi ime trovje

Dok se pjesme tebi poje

Uzvati nam mili Bogu

Sprskom rodu ti slobodu 

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The Serbian section editor of the SRBOBRAN, Dr. Branko Mikasinovich, wrote how he read with excitement Olivera Beljakovich-Terzich's poem, that had been written in 1966.  

"The poem indicates the talent and sensitivities felt by the intimacies and depths of the heart.  From this arises a poem that is clean, unpretentious and written with humility. The poem is of impressive quality and expresses Olivera's love of her ancestors-Serbia- and her race/relatives with poignancy.  Lyrical Olivera characterizes lightness of expression, poignancy and motherly sensibilities."

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Dr. Mikasinovich also worked for Voice of America, Serbian Service, and is a well-recognized figure in Serbia today. 

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Nothing like the radiance of a child's face... 

Srecan Bozic i savko dobro u novoj godini

A Joyous Christmas and Every Good Wish for the Coming New Year! 

(Cyrillic) 

С Миром слави Бадњи дан

Нек ти радост кроз дом теће

С миром слави Бадње веће. 

+++(Latinica)+++ 

S Mirom slavi badnji dan

Nek ti radost kroz dom tece

S mirom slavi Badnje vece.

+++(English)+++ 

 (in this quietude of joyfully awaiting Christmas eve, May happiness flow throughout your home, this beautiful, peaceful Christmas Eve.)

MIR BOZJI, HRISTOS SE RODI!

МИР БОЗЈИ, ХРИСТОС СЕ РОДИ!

Peace of God, Christ is Born!

+++Cyrillic+++

Нек је срецан бадњак нови

Бог нек вас благослови,

Нек вам срецом дом заблиста

На Родјендан Бога Христа!

+++Latinica+++ 

Nek je srecan badnjak novi

Bog nek vas blagoslovi,

Nek Vam srecom dom zablista

Na Rodjendan Boga Hrista! 

May your new yule log bring luck

May God's blessings be upon you

May your home shine from happiness

On the birthday of our Lord, Jesus Christ! 

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From Mary Paich-2010 

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From Deacon Blagoje & Matuska Kathy Siljegovic 

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From Robin Rombach, Pittsburgh Post-Gabette photographer!

(Mim Bizic with some of the Serbian Christmas items: psenica, kolach and the bread baked with a lucky coin.)

Moon woman keeps Serbian Orthodox Christmas customs alive

Thursday, January 07, 2010

By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Perched in a sunny spot on Mim Bizic's kitchen counter is a glass bowl that, at first glance, appears to be green grass growing from a bed of pebbles.

But the pebbles are grains of wheat that have broken open to release the shoots of new life -- a biblical metaphor for Jesus' death and resurrection taken from the Gospel of John. This tiny garden of wheat is a psenica (SHEN-it-za), a Christmas tradition in the Serbian Orthodox Church, which keeps to the Old Calendar date of Jan. 7

The seeds are planted in a bowl Dec. 19, St. Nicholas Day, and watered after a recitation of the Lord's Prayer. Waiting for them to grow is a spiritual exercise.

"Isn't it a fun way to pass the short, dark days waiting for the birth of Christ?" said Ms. Bizic, who retired five years ago as a librarian in the Quaker Valley School District. The green wheat is held tall and straight by a circlet of ribbon in the Serbian national colors of red, blue and white.

"When you first put the wheat in, you wonder if it will grow. But then you see it put out these little knots, and then the shoots. You can see it grow the next day and the next. It fills you with happiness," she said.

Her home in Moon has been fully decorated for Christmas, which she joked that she celebrates three times. There is St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 19, and then Dec. 25 for what she calls "American Christmas," complete with presents. But the holy day, and the day of the most treasured customs, was always Jan. 7.

She is the granddaughter of Serbian immigrants who grew up on the South Side. She never felt odd for celebrating Christmas in January. Her German and Lithuanian friends enjoyed participating in the family celebrations with her.

There was the Christmas tradition of lighting three candles -- in honor of the Holy Trinity -- while reciting the Lord's Prayer. There was also a tradition of baking a coin into a special loaf of bread, which was passed around the table as a hymn was sung. The coin was supposed to bring luck to whoever found it.

Ms. Bizic is recording all of these traditions and many more on her Web site www.babamim.com -- the name means Grandma Mim. It's a virtual museum of Serbian culture, which her home has been for many years. Just inside the front door visitors are greeted with a portrait of Karadjordje, who led the Serbs to independence from the Turks in 1804. Every wall is filled with icons, folk art and family mementos.

All of this she passed along to her son, Nick, who is teaching it to his 3-year-old daughter, Jocelyn. Ms. Bizic's Web site includes a series of photographs in which she and Jocelyn prepared a psenica. Her son has also spread the tradition to some of his Texas neighbors.

This year her parish, St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa, sold kits to make psenicas. The proceeds will be sent to Kosovo to buy firewood.

"Even though we might not make that much money selling the kits, we're keeping the custom alive for harried families who might not have the time to go shopping to a specialty store to buy loose wheat," she said.

On Christmas, the psenica takes its place at the center of the family table, where it is part of all of the family prayers and rituals.

Afterward it is given to the birds.

"We bless ourselves and make a grand send-off," Ms. Bizic said. "We say, 'We thank you, psenica, for being with us and making us happy through this whole season of expectation.' "

Ann Rodgers can be reached at arodgers@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1416.

 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10007/1026404-323.stm#ixzz0bzXGsxNf 

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Mir Bozji, Hristos se Rodi!  Vaistinu se Rodi! 2010

  St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church Christmas Day

(Click lower right hand corner to enlarge photo) 

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 Ready for Serbian Christmas

My father, Milan Karlo, wrote this beautiful story called "The Winter Tale", based on an old Serbian folktale. It appeared on the front page in the December 30, 1964 issue of the American SRBOBRAN:

There's a beautiful story making the rounds again this Christmas season of bright smiles, firm handshakes and expressions of good will. It's reputedly fact, although local legend may have been included.

Locale opens in the lot of a poor wood-cutter. He and his young son are busy felling the trees and chopping the same into wood for sale in the local mart, a-swarm with pre-Christmas shoppers.

Eyeing the bundle he is to shoulder to the mart, the youth expresses hope enough that it will be sold to provide a fine meat dinner for the family. The father congratulates him for always looking "on the bright side."

Enroute to the market, the youth is accosted by several people, all of whom warn him about an old man on the edge of town who asks passersby to help him with his load. The old man is described, variously, as a potential thief, a miser, and a lazy bum.

The first "description," as the story goes, comes from a man with a fat goose under his arm. He grins, in a "knowledgeable" way, as he relates how he was too clever to be taken in by the "crafty old codger" who, he alleged, aimed to make off with the goose once it was laid down and the pack picked up.
 
The second description is furnished by an older boy, a self-styled "go-getter" who first inquired about pay. When told there was none, he turned on the old man with a "miser" charge.

Next, the youth of the story is warned by a man in a handsome fur coat and top hat, leaning on a gold-headed cane. He is shaking in anger and indignation that he, of ALL people, should be asked to carry a peddler's load.

At sight of the bundle of wood on the youth's shoulder, his anger mellows. In his best oratorical tones, he congratulates the youth for "shouldering his own load, not like the lazy old man down on the road."

"He is dressed like a beggar, but he had the AUDACITY to call me his 'friend,'" he related to the youth. Then drawing himself up to his full height, he continued: "I told him, I'm not your 'Friend,' and why you don't carry your own burden instead of sitting there taking your ease?"

The youth's faith in mankind remained unshaken.  Eventually, he came upon the "frail old man" with a long, white beard. A rough brown hood was pulled over his face. His hands were blue with cold and he was shivering in his thin, poor clothing.
Yes, he would shoulder the load, he answered. He would pile it atop the one he was already carrying -- and he proceeded to do so. But after several steps, he knew he'd never make it and suggested they proceed the shorter distance back to the boy's home where the old man could be warmed while he (the youth) made two trips to town.

The climax of the story is reached when the old man is bade fond welcome by the youth's mother, "to warm yourself by the fire" as the youth offers to carry his pack to journey's end.

"My journey ends right here," came the reply. And to the astonishment of the family, he said, "The heavy pack belongs to you." All sorts of wonderful things tumbled out of his bag as he unsheathed it: foods, toys, and at the bottom, a sack of gold.

Now the traveler flung back his hood, revealing a noble face and dark eyes shining with love and goodness.

"Bishop Nicholas!" exclaimed the youth's mother as she fell on her knees. He was indeed the kindly bishop from Myra, well known as a generous, saintly man.

As the children knelt for his blessings, he explained that every year he distributed gifts for the Christ child. This year he decided to test the good-will of those who received them, and hence, the "masquerade."

Turning to the boy, he said: "You alone, my son, proved worthy!"

Icon of the Birth of Christ

Midnight  Service in Vracar

 "But where's the psenica?"

And a "trobonica" (Serbian ribbon of red/blue/white) to go around the psenica when its big enough! 

Planting the dirt in a bowl

"Get all the wheat, Baba!"

It looks good.  Don't forget to sprinkle water on it after you say "Oce Nas" (Lord's Prayer)

In 2 or 3 days, your psenica will look like this if you water it just a little bit every day all the way to January 7th!

"Oh, it's so BEAUTIFUL!"
Just in time for Christmas!

Young Angels  getting ready

Older "angels" singing to the Badnjak (Yule Log) on Jan. 6, 2009 in Aliquippa, PA

 

So much to be thankful for!

PROUD of their Serbian roots!

The tamburas were full of $$$

"Kazi Leno, Koga Volis?"

From Belgrade to Pennsylvania to Texas, our Grandparents and Parents would be so proud to see how we're keeping up the great traditions and having a ball at the same time!
 
We absolutely LOVE our customs, our family and friends, world-wide & those in Heaven looking down on us as our Guardian Angels.

Thanks to Steve Kozobarich, we can still HEAR those Guardian Angels of ours.  Click on the record below to listen to how THEY celebrated Badnji Dan and the Birth of Christ.  Listen for the gunshots at the end.  All the villagers did this in the Old Country and even here in America!  At St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa, PA, we still have someone shoot off the gun three times to welcome the Christ Child born on Christmas Day!   Enjoy this treat!

Bokaljev San U Americi (1913)

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Many people ask how to send Christmas greetings.

"Mir Bozji, Hristos se Rodi!" means "Peace on Earth, Christ is Born!"

People answer back, "Vaistinu se Rodi!" or "Indeed He is Born!"

However, there are greetings that also warm your soul like these from V.Rev. Fr. Petar Petrovich from the Serbian Orthodox Church in Cincinnati:

"Zaista se Hristos Rodi!" 

"Neka vase srce bude ispunjeno  radoscu i blagoslovom o Bozicnim Praznicima i neka Vama i Vasima Milostivi Gospod daruje zdravlje, naredak i duhovni uzrast u 2010.godini."

"INDEED CHRIST WAS BORN!"

"May your heart  be filled with the joys and blessings of this Holy Nativity Season and may Almighty God, grant you and your loved ones good health, prosperity and spiritual growth for 2010."

Click lower right corner to enlarge photo above.

Merry Christmas from the Bizic Family!

xoxoxoxox

12/19/2009 Texas

12/19/2009 Pennsylvania 

+++

12/30/09

 Looking good.  Added Trobonica (ribbon) today....

12/30/09 

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Срећне Божићње Празнике желим и Вама.

Христос се Роди! Ваистину се Роди!

Срећна Нова Година! 

о. Недељко Лунић 

Greetings from V. Rev. Fr. Ned Lunich of Lansing, IL. 

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From the Parish Bulletin of St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church of Monroeville, 2009/2010.

(In Cyrillic, original form) 

Ноћ прекрасна и ноћ тија

Над пећинон свезда сија,

У пећини Мати спи

Над Исусом андјел бди.

Андјели певају,

Пастири свирају,

Мудравци јављавају:

Сто народи ћекасе,

Сто пропоци рекосе,

Ево, сад це у свет јави,

У свет вави и објави:

Родио се Христос Спаc

За спасење свију нас.

Алилуј, Алилуј,

Господи помилуј! 

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Noć prekrasna i noć tija, 

nad pećinom zvezda sija, 

u pećini mati spi, 

nad Isusom andjel bdi.

Andjeli pevaju, 

pastiri sviraju,

andjeli pevaju

mudraci javljaju: 

Što narodi čekaše, 

što proroci rekoše, 

evo sad se u svet javi, 

u svet javi i objavi: 

Rodi nam se Hristos Spas 

za spasenje sviju nas. 

Aliluja, aliluja, 

Gospodi pomiluj!

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Thanks to the lyrical skills of Dr. Branko Terzic, we have this wonderful translation from the poem above:

 A night of beauty and silence

Above the manger, the stars in radiance

Within, a young mother somnolent,

Over the Christ, an angel vigilant

Angels’ voices singing,

Shepherd’s flutes playing,

Wise men heralding:

That the people’s anticipation 

That the prophets’ prognostication

Now to the world proclaimed

To all announced and acclaimed

Christ is born! The exclamation.

For the world’s salvation.

Halleluj, Halleluj

Gospodi pomiluj!

(Lord have mercy!) 

READY TO SING ALONG?

TRY WITH YOUTUBE

MILAN DJURDJEVIC AND FRIENDS 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qm5e8oXNaU 

(Copy and paste the above into your browser to hear.) 

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"Celebrating the birth of Christ is a joyful endeavor. Hearts full of joy affect others. Joyful believers radiate their love of Christ. Individuals experiencing contact with joyful believers react. "

V.Rev. Fr. Rodney Torbic

1/4/10 Sunday Sermon 

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"May the Divine Light which shown brightly on the first Christmas Night Shine in your heart during this Holy Season."

St. Elijah Church Bulletin

1/4/10

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Excellent singing from children in Vojvodina @ Christmas! 

  Божић, Божић

(See YouTube's "Dusan1322")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cMF596x3Q0&feature=response_watch 

Божић, Божић, благи дан,

Благог Христа рођендан,

Божић, Божић, светли дан,

Сав светлошћу обасјан.

Дјева Христа родила,

Пеленама повила,

У пећини Христос спи,

Света Дјева над Њим бди.

Слама лепо мирише,

Богомајка уздише,

Утом звезда засија,

Пећина се загрија.

Анђели се спустише,

Пастирима јавише:

Весел'те се сви ноћас,

Роди нам се Христос Спас!

Кад то чули пастири,

Срце им се умири,

Па кликнуше сви у глас:

Нек' се слави Христос Спас!

Нек' мир свуда царује,

Нек' се срце радује,

Нек' се свако поправља

И Господа прославља.

Па, гле и ми Србчићи,

К'о сребрни звончићи,

Богомајку хвалимо,

Христа Бога славимо.

Божић, Божић, благи дан,

Благог Христа рођендан,

Божић, Божић, светли дан,

Сав светлошћу обасјан

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 A. Slavkovich Family sends Christmas greetings too...

 

Prayer fromSt. Nikolaj of  Zicha on the Birth of Christ: