Danas je Sveti Stefan
Pravoslavni vernici danas obeležavaju praznik Svetog Stefana, prvog hrišćanskog mučenika i arhiđakona, koji se u narodu smatra i trećim danom Božića. Ovaj dan prati niz običaja koji se vezuju za završetak božićnih praznika i očuvanje porodičnog blagostanja.
TL;DR
- Orthodox Christians celebrate St. Stephen's Day today, honoring the first Christian martyr and archdeacon.
- This day is considered the third day of Christmas.
- Traditions associated with St. Stephen's Day include removing Christmas straw from homes.
- The straw is not discarded but placed in fruit trees, apiaries, and coops for its believed fertile power.
- St. Stephen's Day marks the end of Christmas celebrations.
- In Vojvodina, women remove the straw silently at night to signal the departure of Christmas.
- St. Stephen is the first of seven deacons appointed by the apostles, earning him the title archdeacon.
- His name, Stefan, originates from the Greek word for 'crowned'.
- He was stoned to death in Jerusalem for his preaching, hence his title 'First Martyr'.
- His cousin, Saul (later Apostle Paul), participated in his stoning.
- The church commemorates Archdeacon Stephen four times a year, with St. Stephen's Summer celebrated on August 15th.
- Over 40 churches in Serbia are dedicated to St. Stephen.