As part of the Orthodox Christian tradition, Macedonian families choose a saint who dedicated his life to serving Christ and celebrate their day in the Orthodox calendar as a family holiday. The saint often takes on the role of a family protector, and the tradition is passed down from father to son.
The saint’s day is a family celebration which consists of making a loaf of bread (poskura), boiling wheat mixed with ground walnuts and sugar, and preparing a special dinner. Some of the family members take the wheat mix to church for the Orthodox priest to break the bread, give a blessing and pray for that family. Wheat is deliberately chosen as a symbol since it is the main source of existence and everything that is born originates from seeds. After the priest has broken the bread and poured some wine on both the bread and the wheat, the family takes them home and prepares a banquet for the arriving guests.
Traditionally Slava is celebrated with a dinner party with friends and family. Particulars vary from region to region. In some regions you go to Slava by invitation of the hosts. In other regions all are welcome and anyone may come, even without specific invitation.
Each guest greets the host family saying, “Happy Saint’s Day” and expresses a wish that the host family would celebrate the day for many years to come. The guests help themselves to a teaspoon of boiled wheat.
If the celebration is happening during the lenten season, all of the food is made without any meat or animal products such as eggs or milk. Sarma, Tavche Gravche (baked beans), and of course fish can be found on the table. In some villages people choose a patron saint for the village and the Slava is celebrated by the entire village. On that day the whole village is bustling with people, music and fun since every house has guests and family over from neighboring villages and towns. Saint’s day is a day of family gatherings, joy, pleasant conversations and delicious food.
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