Original scientific paper
Orthodox Christmas in Ardalić's and modern items
Marko Dragić
Abstract
This paper (re)evaluates records of customs related to Orthodox Christmas in Bukovica, published by Vladimir Ardalić in 1902. These records describe Christmas Eve celebrations, (the Yule log harvesting, preparation of food for Christmas, the blessing of cattle Christmas Eve,, straw intake,) Chrismass morning, Christmas day, Newlyweds,;
Little Christmas; use of candles, cthe Day of Cross, Epiphany, and beliefs related to the Christmas period. The rites and customs that took place from Christmas Eve to Epiphany were recorded
followingthe church calendar, and in the order in which they took place. They were interpreted in the context of Orthodox Christmas traditions and rituals in other regions, which are found in the writings of Luka Oriovčanin Ilić, Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, Milovan
Gavazzi, and contemporary records. The author includes Biblical context of these rituals, traditions and beliefs, and compares the Orthodox and Catholic traditions. The number of identical Orthodox and Catholic rites, customs and folk beliefs is large. Vladimir Ardalić’s records of folk life and customs in Bukovica are exceptional and manyfold philological, ethnological, anthropological and theological tresure.. Ardalić’s account of customs related to the Orthodox Christmas , and other ancient and contemporary customs provide testimony to the deep rootednesst of the Orthodox Christians in the region the Christian Slavic and European civilization. The entries in the
monograph “Bukovica, folk life and customs” of Vladimir Ardalic also provide testimony to the permanent traditional values.
Keywords
traditional values; cultural heritage; traditional customs; rituals and beliefs
Hrčak ID:
118061
URI
Publication date:
8.5.2012.
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