Christmas is one of the most important and one of the most joyous Christian holidays, that is celebrated both by the Orthodox and Catholic believers. The difference is only in the date of the celebration; the Orthodox celebrate it on January 7th, and the Catholic on December 25th, but its message remains the same – the message of peace and love.
We celebrate Christmas for three days. It is primarily family holiday, and there are numerous traditions and customs regarding Christmas. On the day before Christmas and Christmas Eve, the yule log is being brought into house, cresset lit and hay with hidden candies, prunes, walnuts, sugar and coins, spread all over the house. The hay is a symbol of the manger in which Christ was born. The yule log represents longevity and substance of Christianity, as well as of the warmth of the love Christ brought to us when he was born and arrived to the Earth. On the very day of the Christmas, early in the morning the church bells of all Orthodox temples are ringing, announcing the nativity of Christ. People go to church to attend Christmas liturgy and they all greet each other by “Christ has been born” and “Indeed he has”.
Stamps and envelop show the scene of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, fresco from the Sopoćani monastery from the 13th century. As one of the most beautiful frescoes of that time, it represents artistic, and above all coloristic highlight in our cultural history.
The stamp with face value of 23 dinars: detail of the birth of Jesus Christ from the scene of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Sopoćani monastery, 13th century.
The stamp with face value of 100 dinars and envelope: detail of the bathing of Jesus Christ from the scene of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Sopoćani monastery, 13th century.
Expert collaboration: Verica Stanković, art historian, conservator, Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments – Belgrade.
Graphic realization of the stamps: MA Nadežda Skočajić, academic graphic artist.
