6

December 6th is the Eve of Orthodox Christmas. The day is called "Bandnje Veche" after the "badnjak" the word for the oak branch.  On this eve, thousands of folks burn an oak branch. This is an old custom -- not sure how far it dates back (I will research and update).  In the morning, the father of the house goes and cuts down an oak branch -- really a small sapling about 10 feet long.  They say a prayer and bring it home.  The women of the house greet the husband and throw wheat at him as they welcome him and offer him food (I think a special bread).  In the evening, the family brings in the oak branch and burns it in their fire place.

This has now been incorporated by the Orthodox Church and folks can take their oak branch to the church and burn it.  I think that it is supposed to bring good luck and success in the coming year.  The amount of sparks that shoot up determine the success.  In the case of a torrential downpour, a bit of help from kerosene was needed!

This was the fire in front of the Orthodox Church here in Podgorica at about 10:00 pm.  Earlier, you could see families walking down the street carrying their oak tree. Our landlords had their own fire in the drive way as they burned their branches. 

Sorry for the late post -- got in late last night.