Other food usually served at Serbian Slava is meze (a plate with different kinds of dried meats like ham, cheese, and pork), roast pork or lamb, sarma (cabbage leaves suffed with ground meat), and various cakes and sweets.
Most Serbian people are Orthodox Christians. However, only Serbian Orthodox Christians celebrate their family's saint.
Why? Back in the 13th century (over 700 years ago!), Serbians in this region practiced pagan religions, meaning they worshipped many different gods.
The first Serbian archbishop, Saint Sava, turned the pagan celebration into one honoring Christian saints. Nowadays, Serbs love celebrating Slava!
The most important traditions are made from local ingredients: wheat for Slava's bread and kolijvo/žito, and Slava's candle is made from nature's bees, showing thanks for Earth's gifts.
Many Slava celebrations happen in late fall or winter, like St. Nicholas on December 19 or St. George on November 16, when farmers are done harvesting and can gather to celebrate. This timing matches nature’s cycle, reminding everyone to be grateful for the land’s food!
