TODAY SERBIA CELEBRATES: The presentation of the Lord and Statehood Day, a holiday full of symbolism and important beliefs!

The Serbian Orthodox Church and believers today celebrate the holiday of the Presentation of the Lord, commemorating the day when the Virgin Mary brought the newborn Christ to the temple to dedicate Him to God.

The Presentation of the Lord is celebrated 40 days after Christmas. The Serbian Orthodox Church marks this holiday on February 2 according to the Julian calendar, and on February 15 according to the Gregorian calendar. This holiday has been celebrated since 554 AD.

The Presentation was celebrated as Serbia’s Statehood Day until the formation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, after which it was abolished, only to be reinstated in Serbia in 2002.

The Holy Scriptures state that on the fortieth day after Christ’s Nativity, the Virgin Mary brought her divine Son to the Jerusalem temple to dedicate Him to God and to purify herself, even though neither act was necessary. However, the Lawgiver did not wish to break His own law, given through His servant and prophet Moses. “At that time, the high priest Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, served in the temple. He placed the Virgin Mary not in the women’s section, but in the section for virgins. On that occasion, two remarkable figures appeared: the elder Simeon and Anna, daughter of Phanuel.”

The righteous elder took the Messiah in his arms and said: “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word…” Simeon also said of the Christ Child: “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against” (Luke 2:29, 34). Anna, who had served God in the temple with fasting and prayers from her youth, also recognized the Messiah, glorified God, and announced His arrival to the people of Jerusalem. The Pharisees, present in the temple and witnessing everything, became angry with Zechariah for placing the Virgin Mary in the section for virgins and reported it to King Herod.

Convinced that this was the new king foretold by the Eastern magi, Herod quickly sent soldiers to kill Jesus. However, the Holy Family had already fled the city and headed to Egypt, following the instructions of God’s angel. The celebration of the Presentation began early on, but its grand observance was established in 544 AD during the reign of Emperor Justinian.

What we commemorate today:

On the Presentation Day in 1804, the Assembly in Orašac marked the beginning of the First Serbian Uprising (celebrated as Serbia’s Statehood Day).
On the Presentation Day in 1835, the Sretenje Constitution, Serbia’s first democratic constitution, was adopted in Kragujevac (celebrated as Constitution Day).
On the Presentation Day in 1909, the first assembly of Serbs in the Ottoman Empire was held in Skopje.

Folk beliefs about winter and the bear: Serbs believe that today reveals how much longer winter will last, depending on whether a bear emerges from its den and sees its shadow. One custom is to light candles on the Presentation Day, as it is believed that candle flames protect the home from lightning and other misfortunes and possess magical powers.

One of the most interesting beliefs is that young girls should pay attention to whom they first meet in the morning, as their future husband will resemble that person in appearance and character.

This holiday was instituted during Emperor Justinian’s reign as a prayer for the end of great calamities, plagues, and earthquakes.