Nikoljdan: Complete Guide to the Feast of Saint Nicholas

Introduction

Nikoljdan is one of the most beloved and most widely observed Serbian Orthodox feasts. An enormous number of Serbian families venerate Saint Nicholas as their patron saint, and the feast itself carries a special warmth — it falls in the Advent season, when the air is already filled with the anticipation of Christmas. This guide was written to help all those who are organizing Nikoljdan for the first time, as well as those who wish to revive old family traditions and understand the deeper meaning of this sacred day.

When It Is Celebrated

Nikoljdan is observed on December 19 by the Gregorian (New) Calendar. The Serbian Orthodox Church, however, follows the Julian (Old) Calendar, by which the feast falls on December 6. The thirteen-day difference between the two calendars means that what the Church observes liturgically as December 6 corresponds in civil life to December 19. The majority of Serbs in Serbia and in the diaspora celebrate on December 19, and the official church commemoration of Saint Nicholas takes place on that date in all Serbian Orthodox temples.

It is important to know that Nikoljdan falls in the middle of the Nativity Fast (the Philip’s Fast), which lasts from November 28 to January 6 by the Gregorian reckoning. This directly affects the feast table — the feast is observed as a fast.

History and Tradition

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra, lived in the 4th century in the city of Myra in Asia Minor (present-day Demre in Turkey). He became famous for his exceptional kindness, compassion, and the miracles he performed during his earthly life and after his repose in eternity. In the Orthodox tradition he is venerated as the patron of travellers, sailors, children, the poor, and the distressed. In the Serbian nation there is a deep-rooted belief that Saint Nicholas travels across seas and rivers, helping those in danger from water.

The slava as an institution is deeply rooted in Serbian culture and represents one of the most powerful forms of preserving the Orthodox Christian identity of the Serbian people. The patron feast is, according to the Church’s interpretation, the commemoration of the day of the baptism of the family’s ancestor — the day when the forebears received the Christian faith. The Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church has included the slava among church institutions, and UNESCO in 2014 inscribed “Slava, the Celebration of the Patron Saint’s Day” on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its exceptional significance.

Nikoljdan is especially beloved because in the folk tradition Saint Nicholas is regarded as a saint of gentle nature, accessible to all — rich and poor alike. Tradition holds that he personally visits the homes of those who celebrate him and receives their prayers. In the coastal and Pannonian regions of Serbia, where the connection with water was of vital importance, Saint Nicholas is regarded as a special protector, and many fishing and boating families celebrated him. Over time his feast spread to families with no direct connection to the sea, simply because of his reputation for humanity and wonderworking.

Around Nikoljdan, various folk traditions, weather signs, and proverbs have also accumulated. It is said: “What Nikoljdan is like, so will Christmas be” — meaning that the weather on Nikoljdan foretells the weather for Christmas. This connection with Christmas makes Nikoljdan also the prelude to the most solemn period of the Orthodox liturgical year.

The Feast Table — What to Prepare

Since Nikoljdan falls during the Nativity Fast, the feast table must be fasting — no meat, eggs, or dairy. The Church does, however, permit fish on most days of the Nativity Fast, so baked fish is traditionally the heart of the Nikoljdan table. The fish is chosen by the host — carp, trout, sea bream, or salmon — prepared simply, on the grill or in the oven with vegetables and olive oil.

In addition to fish, the table typically also includes:

• Slavski kolač (česnica) — obligatory, made from wheat flour, decorated with the Orthodox cross and liturgical symbols
• Žito za slavu — boiled wheat with walnuts, sugar, and lemon zest; symbolizes resurrection and eternal life
• Pasulj prebranac — braised beans with onion, rich in flavour, an ideal fasting dish
• Posna sarma — fasting sarma, sour cabbage rolls filled with rice, carrot, and spices, without meat
• Posna čorba od povrća — fasting vegetable soup, warm and aromatic, always welcome in winter
• Fasting salads — pickled vegetables (turšija), roasted peppers, urnebes without kajmak, various winter salads

The slavski kolač and žito are taken to the church the day before or on the morning of the feast so that the priest can perform the blessing.

The Feast Liturgy and Rites

Nikoljdan begins with the church liturgy. The host’s family attends the morning Divine Liturgy in church, where the priest performs the memorial service and prays for the health and salvation of the household. The slavski kolač is brought to the Liturgy to be blessed, along with the žito.

Upon returning home, or on the morning of the feast before guests arrive, the central feast rite is performed — the breaking of the slavski kolač. The host and hostess hold the bread together, the priest (if present) or the eldest male member of the family pronounces a prayer to Saint Nicholas and turns the bread three times to the right, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. The bread is then broken — the two halves are parted, and the piece that remains with the host is considered a blessing for the home.

The feast candle (žiža) burns throughout the entire day. The red cloth, incense, and feast candle form an obligatory part of the little altar prepared in every home that celebrates. Guests upon arrival are offered the opportunity to light a small piece of wax from the feast candle, which symbolizes participation in prayer.

Preparing the Feast — Step by Step

One week before the feast:

• Decide on the menu and make a shopping list
• Order or announce the slavski kolač from a baker who makes feast breads, or plan to bake it at home
• Check whether you have incense, the feast candle, and an icon of Saint Nicholas

Three days before:

• Purchase provisions for the fasting table
• Soak the beans for the prebranac the day before cooking
• Prepare the sour cabbage for the sarma if you do not have it already pickled
• Call guests and confirm the number attending

The day before:

• Bake or collect the slavski kolač
• Cook the žito and leave in the refrigerator to cool
• Prepare the pasulj prebranac (better when it rests overnight)
• Peel and prepare the vegetables for the soup and salads
• Tidy the house and set out the icon of Saint Nicholas with incense and candle

Morning of the feast:

• Go to the Liturgy with the kolač and žito
• Upon returning home, break the bread in the family circle
• Bake the fish (better when baked fresh on the morning of the feast)
• Cook the soup and heat the other dishes
• Set the table shortly before the first guests arrive

During the feast:

• Welcome guests at the door and offer them the žiža (feast candle)
• The host offers the first toast to Saint Nicholas
• After lunch, žito and slices of slavski kolač are served to guests

Greeting and Visiting

When coming to Nikoljdan as a guest, it is customary to bring a small gift — a bottle of wine or rakija, a box of sweets, or a bouquet of flowers. At the door, offer your congratulations to the host: “Srećna slava!” or “Srećan Sveti Nikola!”. The host responds: “Hvala, i tebi!” or “Bog da primi!”

It is not appropriate to come empty-handed, but the value of the gift is not important — the gesture is what matters. Guests stay for lunch and a brief visit, and upon leaving again offer their congratulations and thanks for the hospitality. If you were unable to attend in person, it is acceptable to call during the day of the feast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Detailed answers to the most common questions about Nikoljdan are found in the FAQ section at the top of this page. In brief: fish is permitted because we are in a fast; a gift should be brought but its value does not matter; the feast is held on December 19 by the New Style; žito and the slavski kolač are necessary regardless of how modest or lavish the table may be.

Nikoljdan is above all a day of prayer and gratitude. The feast table, however rich or modest, is simply an expression of that gratitude. Glory be to Saint Nicholas!