Christmas is celebrated the day after Christmas Eve and is the most important holiday for Montenegrins. It lasts until the end of January.
Two days before Christmas, on January 5, a piglet or lamb is slaughtered, and in some places a turkey or goose. On this day, children must not be punished — there is a belief that otherwise they will misbehave throughout the following year. This day is called Tucindan. Christmas Eve, January 6, is called Badnji Dan.
Christmas is a very religious holiday, and most people put on festive clothes and go to Christmas services. There are many old Serbian traditions associated with rural life that have now lost their significance.
In the past, on Christmas, the head of the family would go into the forest to cut a young oak tree called the Badnjak. This is still a tradition in rural parts of the country. But most city residents replace the Badnjak by buying a couple of oak branches with their brown leaves. Such small badnjaks can be bought at local markets or in churches.
The Badnjak is brought home in a number equal to the men living in the house, plus one more for the angel, one for the baby Jesus, one for a successful year, and a few extra just in case. As a rule, locals follow the principle that “the more, the better.” However, the number of logs must be odd.
On January 6 and 7, everyone greets each other with the words: “Merry Christmas!” or “Happy Christmas holidays!” This greeting is observed until Epiphany (January 19).
The Serbian Orthodox Church organizes a public celebration on Christmas Eve. Around 5:30 p.m., people begin gathering on the large plateau in front of the cathedral, carrying large and small oak logs and branches and throwing them into the communal bonfire.
Christmas is an incredibly beautiful event, and the atmosphere during the holiday period is solemn.