The Serbian Orthodox Church and its believers today, July 13, celebrate the Assembly of the Holy Twelve Apostles, a holiday known among the people as Pavlovdan.
This day is dedicated to all of Christ’s disciples who spread the faith throughout the world, but special celebration and honor is given to Saint Apostle Paul. Although Saints Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom on the same day (July 12) and the church commemorates them together then, July 13 is traditionally recognized as the day of Saint Paul, whom people celebrate with equal respect. In addition, the church has designated this day as the feast of all twelve apostles – Peter, Andrew, James the son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot and Matthias.
Saint Apostle Paul was not part of the original group of twelve disciples, but was initially a Pharisee named Saul and a fierce persecutor of Christians. However, after a miraculous appearance of the Lord Himself on the road to Damascus, he experienced a complete transformation.
At baptism, he received the name Paul and became one of the greatest, most passionate and most educated preachers of the New Testament. His epistles still form the foundation of Christian theology today, and because of his tireless work, he was called the “apostle of the Gentiles.”
Folk customs for Pavlovdan
In Serbia, Pavlovdan is associated with strict folk beliefs, some of which have been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. Pavlovdan is considered by many people to be an extremely “difficult” holiday. According to belief, one should not work in the fields, mow grass or collect hay today. Older generations say that anyone who breaks this prohibition could be punished by thunder or a storm that would destroy their crops.
Just as in the fields, it is believed that heavy household chores should also be avoided today, such as washing clothes or major house cleaning. In some parts of Serbia, the custom of giving family members and neighbors early Petrovdanski apples (“petrovače”) on this day is still respected, so that the year will be fruitful and successful.
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Source: Telegraf.rs, Foto: svetigora.com