For Orthodox Christians, January 6 is the day when Jesus was born, a day when people should forgive each other and gather together - the Christmas Eve.
It is the day when Orthodox Christians in Balkans and in the world are making final preparations for their biggest holiday -Christmas on January 7- in the year.
"Just before Christmas, we have Christmas Eve. In churches we serve the sacred liturgies, and in the late evening we light on Yule logs. We bring Yule logs and hay into the houses trying to make the atmosphere of the cave where Christ was born,” Sarajevo-based vicar Mladen Drobnjak told Anadolu Agency.
He says the Yule log symbolizes the tree which Joseph brought into the cave in order to warm it up.
Despite the rainy day, citizens of Sarajevo pour out of their houses in search of Yule logs. They are buying supplies for the Christmas Eve dinner and are gearing up ahead of the holiday.
"We are celebrating Christmas, one of the biggest holidays for Orthodox Christians. We traditionally mark it with our family and relatives at home, eating Christmas sirloin, cakes and candies," says Sarajevo local Drago Joksimovic.
The orthodox in the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica, are spending Monday night buying Yule logs. Vendors say they are satisfied with the sales. The price of the most expensive Yule log is not higher than 3 euro.
Traditionally, the logs are set ablaze in front of the churches and temples in Montenegro.
In Macedonia, couple thousands of Orthodox gathered on Monday morning in the Church of St Climent Ohridski in Skopje for the liturgy during which Yule logs, bread and wine were shared.
Believers lit candles and marked the arrival of Christmas.
City mayor Kotse Trayanovski was among the attendees.
The celebration of Orthodox Christmas lasts 3 days, including the Christmas Eve.
Traditionally, first day of Christmas in Serbia is celebrated at home with the family, while second and third days are devoted to the relatives, neighbors and friends.
For Christmas, breakfast is compulsory to include Christmas bread, which is baked that morning on the Yule log's fire with beans, corn, and gold coin for good luck. Family members jointly cut the bread in pieces by hand.
Orthodox celebrate Christmas on 6th and 7th day of Julian calendar. It will be marked in all Balkan countries.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
