Skopje, 6 January 2025 (MIA) — Orthodox Christians in the country are celebrating Orthodox Christmas Eve, Badnik, on Jan. 6 – the day preceding Christmas, the great holiday of the Birth of Jesus Christ.

 
The traditional Badnik celebration will be held at Skopje's St. Clement of Ohrid Cathedral Church.

This year's Badnik godfather is Radomir Makelarski, and the toast-giver is Atanas Petrov, who will give a Badnik toast in front of the church.

After priests consecrate the wafer, the tea, and the oak tree branches that the godfather and toast-giver had collected earlier on the slopes of Vodno, they will give them away to the congregation.

Badnik processions will be held in cities across the country beginning at noon.

The longest procession is expected in Skopje. Participants will walk from the Museum of the City of Skopje to Macedonia Square, where a carolling concert will be held alongside children's creative workshops and theater plays. A nativity scene made by local artists portraying the birth of Christ has already been put on the square, organizers said.

Drivers will be rerouted from several streets in Skopje closed Monday for Orthodox Christmas Eve celebrations near local churches.

According to the Skopje Police Department in a press release, crowds are expected to gather near St. Clement of Ohrid Church and Christmas Eve processions have been announced in Kisela Voda, on Petar Deljan St, Boris Trajkovski St, Macedonia Blvd, Ss. Cyril and Methodius St, around the Museum of the City of Skopje, and at Macedonia Square.

Orthodox believers decorate their homes on Christmas Eve with oak tree branches, which are considered symbols of happiness, love and light.

On Orthodox Christmas Eve, believers gather their closest family around the dinner table for a Lenten supper. The highlight is the breaking of the bread that contains a coin.

The bread is divided between family members, the home, and Christ. It is believed that whoever finds the coin on Badnik will have great luck follow them throughout the entire year. mr/