We also attended a midnight Eastern Orthodox Christmas service with our friend Jelena.
It was there that we learned Serbs use the traditional festive greeting of “Christ is born, Merry Christmas” and the appropriate response is “Truly, he is born.”
While the entire hour and a half service was in Serbian, Brev and I were fascinated by the following:
- Everyone stands the entire service, there isn’t even benches or pews in their churches.
- The importance of Icons – Even during the service, worshippers will walk up and kiss icons in the church, making the sign of the Cross three times.
- Christmas is preceded by a 40 day fast, beginning on November 15th. In this fasting period people are vegan, and it is a time of reflection, self-restraint and inner healing in the sacrament of confession. Additionally, it is a requirement to fast seven days before you take holy confession and communion.
It is also important to note that Eastern Orthodox Christmas lacks the commercialization like in the West.
The Jo Show 