TODAY IS SUMMER SAINT NICHOLAS: Many Families in Serbia Celebrate “Little Slava” and Here’s Why!

The Serbian Orthodox Church and its faithful are celebrating the feast dedicated to the translation of the relics of Holy Father Nicholas.

Saint Nicholas (winter) is celebrated on December 19, commemorating the day of the saint’s death, while Summer Saint Nicholas is celebrated on May 22, the day in 1087 when the saint’s relics were transferred from Myra in Lycia to what was then Orthodox Bari in Italy.

Saint Nicholas is considered the patron saint of children, learned people, merchants, sailors, and travelers in general.

Although it doesn’t fall in the summer according to the calendar, due to the usually pleasant weather on this feast day, it is popularly called Summer Saint Nicholas. For many families, this day marks a “little slava” or “preslava” (a smaller celebration of the family’s patron saint).

Enduring Legacy and Miraculous Beliefs

Even today, the relics of Saint Nicholas rest in Bari, now in the Church of Saint Nicholas of the same name, which citizens erected in his honor, believing in and respecting this miracle worker and healer.

According to tradition, it is believed that Saint Nicholas restored the sight of Stefan Dečanski, leading this Serbian king to adorn the temple housing Saint Nicholas’s relics with silver and send generous contributions for its embellishment.

Saint Nicholas helped the poor, comforted the people, and saved them from hunger. He is considered the protector of seafarers and all travelers.

Even today, it is believed that Saint Nicholas provides assistance at sea, and all Christian seafarers celebrate him as their patron saint.