TODAY, WE CELEBRATE MITROVDAN: One of the greatest Serbian feasts, and here’s what you shouldn’t do on this day!

Believers today, November 8th, celebrate Mitrovdan. Today, the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the day of the Great Martyr Saint Dimitrius, better known to the people as Mitrovdan.

In terms of the number of those who celebrate it, Mitrovdan is the fifth-largest Serbian feast; it is the patron saint’s day for some guilds and the day of vows in many places. It is a fixed feast, meaning it is always on November 8th according to the Gregorian calendar or October 26th according to the Julian calendar.

Mitrovdan is dedicated to the ancient commander of Thessalonica from the 3rd century, who was tortured and executed for spreading Christianity. Saint Dimitrije is revered as one of the most important Orthodox military saints. All Orthodox Christians and believers celebrate this great martyr, believing in his healing powers.

Stabbed with a spear in the midst of prayer

Orthodox scriptures state that he was born in Thessalonica in the 3rd century AD, during the short reign of the only barbarian Roman emperor, the Thracian Maximian, to noble and pious parents who could not have children for a long time. He was an only child.

After his father’s death, Dimitrije inherited the title of voivode, and as he was raised in the Christian spirit, he preached Christianity instead of exterminating it, as ordered by Emperor Maximian.

The emperor, upon learning that his governor Dimitrije was a Christian and that he had converted many to Christianity instead of turning them away, ordered that Dimitrije be first imprisoned and then stabbed with spears in the midst of prayer.

The Thessalonians buried him secretly. Later, the nobleman Leontius from Illyria, healed from a serious illness at the tomb of this martyr, erected a church in gratitude.

When the foundation of the church was being dug, the relics of the Great Martyr Dimitrije were found. He was declared a saint, the protector of the city of Thessalonica.

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Relics in Thessalonica

According to legend, Dimitrije’s tomb exuded basil and myrrh, and therefore, he was called Mirotočivi (Myrrh-streaming). The relics were in Italy in the city of San Lorenzo for almost eight centuries, but at the request of the Greeks, they were returned (the larger part) to Thessalonica in 1978 (the head) and 1980 (the larger part of the remaining relics). His relics are still located in the Church of Saint Dimitrije in Thessalonica.

This church has been on the list of world cultural heritage of exceptional importance since 1989. Even today, the healing power of his relics is believed in. Church scriptures state that Saint Dimitrije then “watched over his city and saved it from earthquakes and other disasters.”

Customs to be respected

In addition, in Serbia, there is a belief that on Mitrovdan, one should not scold children, no matter how much they have erred, because they will allegedly be naughty all year round. According to Serbian customs, it is believed that on Mitrovdan, everyone should stay at home and that this is not a day for receiving guests unless they are relatives.

Also, it is customary on this day not to dismiss servants who work in the house, regardless of whether their contract has expired. Some believe that all major field work and other things that are done outside the house must be completed by Mitrovdan.

In Šumadija, peasants put a piece of white cloth in every corner of the room to protect them from mice. Women do not touch spindles, combs, and scissors on this day.