The Feast of the Nativity of Christ is one of those days when we experience the meeting with God with the greatest depth and joy. Before this solemn and wondrous day, the world and God were separated by sin, and man—no matter how much he longed for a meeting with God—could not achieve it by his own efforts, without Him. And God, in His immeasurable love, in His mercy, became man. He crossed that boundary which separated fallen man from eternal life and eternal joy. — Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh
CHRISTMAS IN MONTENEGRO and RUSKA SALATA
While I lived in Moscow, New Year and Christmas were, first of all, associated with a 10-day holiday that I eagerly waited for—to finally rest from all work problems and worries. After the Moscow slush and Russian snowdrifts, I would dive into the warm sea at a foreign resort. Relaxing in body and soul under the blazing sun with friends, I would sometimes remember Olivier salad and the «Blue Light» TV show with a touch of nostalgia…
If I happened to spend the winter holidays in Moscow, then the classic Soviet-style festive dinner was present in our home too, just like in the good old days—followed by snowball fights, ice skating, and of course, a firework show with firecrackers. That was basically it—New Year, Christmas… without any deep spiritual traditions. But everyone celebrates in their own way.
Interestingly, Montenegrins also love Olivier salad, especially at Christmas and on the feast of the family’s patron saint. But in Montenegro, it’s called “Ruska salata” (“Russian salad”)… It sounds funny and yet logical: the salad that we named after the French chef who invented it, in Montenegro is classified as Russian—fair enough, it’s probably the most popular one in Russia. At the same time, I personally discovered many Serbian-Montenegrin Orthodox Christmas traditions that I had never seen in Russia.
Unlike our country, Montenegro doesn’t have a 10-day New Year holiday. Sadly! And unlike us, Montenegrins don’t aim to spend the New Year abroad—and Christmas is even more sacred: they celebrate it only at home, with close family.
But that’s just another reason to gather the whole family, honor Orthodox traditions, and enjoy some “mom’s cooking.”
Serbs and Montenegrins are less attached to December 31st and more to January 7th. For them, New Year is celebrated from January 13 to 14 (“Srpska Nova Godina”), and Christmas is a sacred feast that must be observed. And there are traditions here that I was lucky enough to encounter—and now I take part in them myself.
Orthodox Christmas and the Nativity Fast
Let me start with the fact that Orthodox Christmas is preceded by the Nativity Fast, which lasts 40 days and ends at midnight on January 6 (from January 6 to 7). In our home, we have a special Orthodox calendar that we buy at our church. It lists all the religious holidays, as well as all fast days, with instructions about what type of food is allowed—for example, on certain Saturdays, food can be cooked with oil, and wine is permitted. But before following a fast, one must receive a blessing from the priest.
My husband is an athlete and has daily physical training, so our abbot blessed him to follow a version of the fast that allows daily meals with oil, and also fish and seafood. Many people know how hard it is to fast during the first and last days. The last day of the fast is Christmas Eve, or Badnji Dan, and those who couldn’t fast for all 40 days usually fast at least on this day.
Christmas Eve Preparations and Traditions
Preparations for Christmas begin in the last days of December:
Homemakers plant wheat seeds in an ordinary dish—like a plate—on moist cotton, leaving a round space in the center for a candle holder. Usually, after 7–10 days, the seeds sprout into cute green shoots.
On Christmas Eve, a candle (blessed at church) is placed in the middle of the wheat and lit during the fasting meal. Around the wheat, there are treats made of dried fruits, nuts, and honey.
The word “sochelnik” (Christmas Eve) comes from the Old Slavic word “sochivo” — wheat grains soaked in water. The Eve itself is a day of intense preparation for the Nativity.
The Badnjak Ritual
Early on Christmas Eve morning, the head of the family or the eldest son goes to the forest or garden to gather badnjak — dry branches that form a Christmas bouquet with an orange and are placed at the entrance to the home. The badnjak protects the home and brings it warmth.
And in the evening of the same day, at sunset, people gather at the church and bring with them the collected badnjak, which is placed in a pile and set on fire. The lighting of the communal badnjak symbolizes the arrival of the New Year and the rise of the new sun, while the ashes carried into the sky signify fertility. The custom of collecting badnjak dates back to the time of the birth of Jesus Christ, when the Magi gathered dry branches to make a fire and thus warm the Savior and His mother.
Traditional Christmas Dishes
After bringing badnjak into the house, housewives usually prepare roasted meat—most often pork—for the next day’s festive lunch, as well as the popular «Russian salad» (ruska salata) and bake sweets.
The head of the family performs the incense blessing of the home with frankincense, reading a prayer. On this day, it is also customary to forgive those who have wronged or offended you.
In our family, we traditionally gather for dinner on Christmas Eve at the parents’ house, where Lenten food is prepared—simple, yet rich and varied. For example, we might have octopus salad and cabbage rolls stuffed with hake. So we spend the entire day with our parents preparing for Christmas. At midnight, my husband goes to the night service, the vigil and communion after the fast. The service usually lasts about two hours. Those who cannot attend the night vigil can come early in the morning for the liturgy and communion.
There is also another beautiful custom — the visit of the polozajnik — a close relative or godfather, who must be the first to knock on the door on Christmas morning.
If the first person to knock on the door is a woman, it is considered a bad omen, so women stay at home on this day waiting for their polozajnik. My husband goes to visit his aunt, and our kuma (wedding and church witness) comes to our house. The polozajnik brings with him an orange with coins of different value pinned into it — as a wish for the family’s prosperity. Before entering the house, he sprinkles wheat seeds in front of him, saying:
“May this house always be warm and fruitful.”
The hostess, in return, serves the guest breakfast — this includes pršut (a traditional dry-cured meat), cheese, roasted meat, ruska salata, and many other delicious dishes. After breakfast, the polozajnik receives a small symbolic gift — here, it’s usually socks or men’s shaving products.
After the polozajnik’s visit, it’s time to prepare for the Christmas lunch. It is usually held at the parents’ house, in a small family circle. This shows respect for the elders and reflects the idea that the joyful moment of Christ’s birth is shared only with the closest loved ones.
