The origin of the festivity during Slava

Hospitality is in our nature; it has been a customs for Serbs to provide a festive meal to our
cousins and friends who were coming to magnify the celebration of our Slava. Later, during the
centuries of slavery, the only way for people to meet, talk, comfort, and even to make any
decisions, was by attending Slava, weddings and other such ceremonies. Since Turks, no
matter how cruel they were in the persecution of Serbian people, still left some freedom to
people to gather during their religious holidays without Turkish supervision.

And at such Slava meetings, people consoled

one another; it was a getaway from the
Turkish forces, which helped people
strengthened their faith and hope for freedom.
At one such meeting in Orasac (a small place
in Serbia) in 1804, it was decided to start the
first uprising for the liberation of the Serbian
people. Thus, these feasts, which had its
particular significance in the past, have been
celebrated even today especially in villages.

It is often heard that our countrymen living in villages celebrate Slava for more than one day and
that during those days they spend a lot. Such observation is correct, but we should not forget
the significance that our Slava and weddings have in bringing together families and friends from
faraway places and providing them with those few days they can afford to be away from their
home and spend them wisely enjoying the company of their loved ones by talking and
celebrating these glorious days. This is off course does not justify spending huge amount of
money for every single occasion. People should decrease their Slava celebration to one day, to
a glorious day of prayer and the cutting of a cake. People should try to spend less, since every
penny is hard to earn; they should be careful not to turn their Slava celebration into the excuse
for excessive drinking and eating! However, this does not apply only to people living in villages
but also to those living in cities. This looking after the worthy celebration of Slava should reflect
the awakening of all who truly believe and respect their Serbian name and who care enough to
protect such a glorious custom.

Slava should always be celebrated, regardless of the circumstances - in happiness or sadness -

the only thing that needs to be distinguished is that which is worthy from unworthy; we should
distinguish a celebration of a Saint from celebratory banquests, Slava from parties. While
Slava’s table can be prepared by those who can afford it, as a happy man is the one who is not
in sorrow; anybody can afford the following items in order to pay respects in prayer to their
family patron Saint: Slava’s wax candle, Slava’s cake, little red wine, wheat, incense and little bit
of oil.

Serbs should never neglect their Slava. Orthodox faith has protected Serbs throughout the
centuries, so they should keep their faith not as a habit but as a sign of their spiritual awakening.
They should be the living proof of a famous saying: "Where there is a Serb there is Slava!"