Christmas in North Macedonia

Because North Macedonians are prevalently Orthodox Christians, they celebrate Christmas differently from Americans and many Europeans, focusing on the religious aspects of the holiday.

North Macedonians observe the Nativity Fast, attend the Midnight Mass, and, most importantly, spend time at home with their loved ones.

North Macedonians don’t exchange gifts or eat spiced fruitcakes for Christmas, but they have many unique traditions that are no less interesting.

When is Christmas Celebrated in North Macedonia?

Over 70% of North Macedonians identify as Orthodox Christians, belonging to the Eastern Orthodox Church under the Serbian Patriarchate. Only 0.4% of the country’s population are Catholics and even fewer Protestants.

For this reason, North Macedonians don’t celebrate Christmas on December 25 – it’s a regular working day. Instead, they celebrate Christmas with a 13-day difference, on January 7.

The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates religious holidays under the Julian calendar. Before Pope Gregory Xlll introduced a calendar reform known as the Gregorian calendar in the 16th century, Catholic Church also used the Julian calendar.

However, the Julian calendar is inconvenient for daily use because it isn’t accurate enough, which leads to date drift. Some Orthodox Church branches have later accepted the reform.

North Macedonians also celebrate New Year’s twice, by Gregorian and Julian calendars (January 14). There are never too many celebrations, right?

Christmas Decorations

Despite cultural and religious differences between the Balkans and the U.S., most Christmas decorations in North Macedonia are familiar to every American.

Every North Macedonian household has a Christmas tree, usually a natural one because the country is rich in forests.

North Macedonian Christmas trees are adorned with baubles, tinsel, stars, angels, and fairy lights. Of course, there can be variations, and every family strives to make their Christmas tree the most creative.

Oak branch is the North Macedonian equivalent of mistletoe. Locals believe that it brings health, fertility, and prosperity. Oak symbolizes eternal life. North Macedonians place oak branches in vases on the Christmas table and around the house.

Garlands are also popular in north Macedonian homes, but you’re unlikely to see stockings hanging from the fireplace or an Advent wreath because these elements aren’t a part of the Orthodox Christmas tradition.

House exterior decoration is typically humble, but city streets, stores, and cafes go all out with creativity, boosting the festive spirit of locals.

Nativity Fast

Like all Orthodox Christians, North Macedonians observe the Nativity Fast. The Nativity Fast is the Orthodox equivalent of Advent, a 40-day period of preparation for the birth of Christ.

For 40 days preceding Christmas, North Macedonians refrain from all bodily temptations, including meat, dairy, oil, alcohol, and smoking. They strive to free their souls from sin and minds from destructive thoughts.

On some days, they can eat fish and drink a glass of wine, while other days are extra strict. However, the focus of the Nativity Fast isn’t food but prayer and penance.

Christmas Eve is the strictest day of the Nativity Fast when Orthodox Christians must not eat anything solid until the first star appears in the sky.

The star represents the Star of Bethlehem that arose when Jesus was born, fulfilling the prophecy.

Christmas Food

North Macedonian Christmas food is primarily fish-based because meat dishes may be heavy for the stomach after long fasting. Many families serve baked bean casserole seasoned with red pepper. Sometimes, it contains fried fish.

Carp cooked in the oven, fish stew, pea soup, and mushroom soup are the most common dishes on the North Macedonian Christmas Eve menu.

Moussaka, a dish made with potatoes, fried onions, and ground meat or fish, is favored by locals year-round, including Christmas. The dish is topped with an egg crust that gives it a golden color and crispy texture.

On Christmas Day, the menu includes more meat. North Macedonians cook bell peppers or cabbage rolls stuffed with ground meat, rice, and herbs, always topped with tomato paste and sour cream.

Stew from meat, potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and peppers is perfect for cold winter days. Another traditional stew recipe includes pork, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, and spices.

Bannock bread with braided decoration is integral to the North Macedonian Christmas feast. North Macedonians hide a coin or bean inside it, similarly to how Europeans hide a Jesus figurine in the Kings’ Cake on Epiphany.

When someone finds the coin, they should drop it in a glass of wine, and every family member takes a sip. North Macedonian Christmas bread should never be cut with a knife but torn apart with hands.

Ravanija, layered pastry with walnut sherbet, is a North Macedonian Christmas dessert favored by all local kids. Another delicious dish for those with a sweet tooth is celufki, translated as kisses, sweets made from egg whites and sugar.

Not many know, but North Macedonians also have their unique take on Turkish delight known as krushevo lokum.

North Macedonians sometimes drink mulled wine, but it can’t compete in popularity with rakija, a traditional Balkan alcoholic drink from grapes.

Gift Exchange

Many foreigners are surprised to find out that North Macedonians don’t exchange gifts for Christmas. This might sound sad, particularly for children. Doesn’t Santa Claus visit Macedonian kids? Are they all naughty and don’t deserve gifts?

North Macedonian kids are just like all others – sometimes good, something naughty, but gift exchange for Christmas simply isn’t a part of the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

Orthodox Christians exchange gifts for New Year’s and, sometimes, Epiphany, commemorating the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to baby Jesus: gold, myrrh, and frankincense.

North Macedonians do have their unique version of Santa named Grandfather Frost, but he visits children a bit later than American Santa and has a different origin.

Even when Santa visits, he doesn’t bring expensive gifts like gadgets and large toys but treats and books.

However, if someone is invited to a North Macedonian home for Christmas, they are expected to bring sweets, liquor, and small gifts for the children. This isn’t a Christmas tradition but basic etiquette.

Church Services

North Macedonian Christmas celebrations are focused on the religious aspect of the holiday, so attending the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is a must.

The Midnight Mass in North Macedonia involves reading biblical passages, singing hymns, and praying. When the clock strikes midnight, the priest proclaims that Jesus was born, and everyone replies with a cheerful “Truly is born!”.

After the Midnight Mass, some North Macedonians go home, while others stay near the church to burn fires. However, the bonfire burning ceremony doesn’t last long, and everyone ends up celebrating at home.

Many North Macedonian churches are beautiful examples of Byzantine architectural style, situated in picturesque sites surrounded by mountains.

If you’re ever in North Macedonia for Christmas, visit the St. Jovan Kaneo near Lake Orchid, Saint Archangel Michael Cave Church in Struga, or Holy Savior Church in Skopje.

Bonfires

January 5 in North Macedonia is known as Kolede’s Eve, translated as Christmas Eve’s Eve. On this day, North Macedonians gather to ignite bonfires on city squares and near local churches.

North Macedonian Christmas bonfires are a reference to the miracle of Holy Fire occurring every year at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

As the fire burns, North Macedonians dance to the sound of traditional music and eat. There’s no drinking involved because January 5 is still Nativity Fast.

North Macedonians bring along Bannock bread loaves and divide them into small chunks for everyone participating to get a piece. One of the pieces contains a coin or bean, and whoever gets it is believed to have a lucky year.

Bonfire burning is even more fun than Christmas itself because North Macedonians can spend time with friends, whereas on Christmas Day, everyone stays at home.

Oak Branch Burning

North Macedonians believe that Joseph used oak tree branches to ignite a fire in a cave where Jesus was born. To commemorate this occurrence, they burn oak branches on Christmas Eve, after the Midnight Mass, either at home or in cathedral yards.

In the morning, the oldest male family member goes to the local woods or Christmas market to get oak branches. When he arrives home, other family members sprinkle the branches with wine, symbolizing Christ’s blood.

Although this tradition has profound religious meaning, it likely has pre-Christian roots. Long ago, pagans would burn a log at winter solstice celebrations to ward off evil spirits who supposedly thrived during the longest night of the year.

Nowadays, many North Macedonians refrain from burning oak branches and only use them in home decoration.

Quiet Celebrations

Christmas in North Macedonia isn’t commercialized, so only genuinely religious people celebrate it. Most locals spend the holiday at home with their immediate family, so the streets completely die out on Christmas Eve.

There is even a traditional saying, “no matter where you are, you should be home for Christmas.”

Locals living far away travel to their hometowns to celebrate Christmas with their parents. Big celebrations with fireworks and street parties occur only on New Year’s.

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