Stefanjdan: Guide to the Feast of Saint Stephen the First Martyr

Introduction

Stefanjdan is a patron feast dedicated to Saint Stephen the First Martyr — one of the earliest and most significant saints of the Church of Christ. This feast has a special place in the Serbian Orthodox calendar because it falls immediately in the heart of the festive days between Christmas and the Serbian New Year — the time that people call the “holy days” or the “unbaptised days.” For families who celebrate Stefan, this feast comes as the natural crowning of an already solemn and joyful period, which gives it a unique warm and hospitable atmosphere.

The name Stefan comes from the Greek word stephanos, meaning wreath or crown — a symbol that perfectly describes the fate of this saint, who was crowned with a martyr’s death as the first to give his life for faith in Christ. In Serbian families who bear this feast, Stefanjdan is a day of togetherness, hospitality, and remembrance of the spiritual heritage of the forebears.

When It Is Celebrated

Stefanjdan is celebrated on January 9 by the Gregorian (New Calendar) system, corresponding to December 27 by the Julian (Old) Calendar. The Serbian Orthodox Church follows the Julian Calendar, so this feast is observed liturgically on December 27 by the Old Style — which means it is the third day of Christmas.

This position in the calendar sequence of Christmas makes Stefanjdan part of the three-day Christmas celebration: on the first day (December 25/January 7) the Nativity of Christ is celebrated; on the second day (December 26/January 8) the feast of the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos; and on the third day (December 27/January 9) Stefanjdan itself. In this way, Stephen the First Martyr links Christmas with the rest of the saints’ week that extends all the way to Theophany (January 6/19) and Vasiljevdan (January 1/14).

History and Tradition

Saint Stephen the First Martyr lived and worked in the earliest years of Christianity, immediately after the Resurrection of Christ and the Descent of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles, faced with a growing number of believers in Jerusalem, decided to choose seven deacons who would care for the widows and the poor while the Apostles continued preaching the Word of God. Stephen was first on this list — described in the Acts of the Apostles as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5).

Stephen did not remain confined to the practical work of caring for the poor. He was an outstanding preacher and wonderworker, who “did great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). His zeal and wisdom in interpreting the Scriptures attracted attention — and also the hatred — of the fanatical religious leaders of Jerusalem. Accused of blasphemy, Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin — the supreme Jewish judicial council.

Before the Sanhedrin, Stephen delivered one of the longest speeches recorded in the New Testament — a survey of the entire history of salvation from Abraham to Christ, concluding with a sharp accusation against those who had killed Christ (Acts 7:2–53). At the moment when the enraged crowd led him out to stoning, Stephen had a vision: “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). He was stoned outside the city walls of Jerusalem, around 34 AD, and as he was dying he prayed for those who were killing him — “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Among the witnesses of his stoning was the young Saul of Tarsus, the future Apostle Paul.

Stephen thus became the protomartyr — protos martys in Greek — the first to witness his faith by death. The Church dedicated a feast to him immediately after Christmas because his martyrdom is regarded as an extension of Christ’s work of salvation.

The relics of Saint Stephen were discovered in 415 AD, and subsequently transferred to Rome where they were placed in the Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura together with the relics of the deacon Lawrence — another famous martyr. The Serbian Church especially honors Stephen the First Martyr, and many Serbian families see in him the patron of the family hearth and guardian of the righteous.

The Feast Table — What to Prepare

Since Stefanjdan falls in the period between Christmas and the Serbian New Year, this is a non-fasting feast — the table has no fasting restrictions, and meat, dairy, and eggs are all welcome.

The central place on the feast table is taken by the slavski kolač — decorated with wheat and religious symbols, it is broken in the presence of the priest or elder family member with prayer. Alongside the kolač, žito (koliva) is obligatorily prepared — boiled wheat seasoned with honey and walnuts, symbolizing resurrection and eternal life.

Since the feast takes place during the Christmas-New Year period, the Stefanjdan feast table often resembles a Christmas spread. Common dishes are:

• Roast (pork or lamb) as the central non-fasting dish
• Sarma — cabbage rolls with meat wrapped in soured cabbage
• Stuffed peppers with meat and rice
• Homemade soup (beef or chicken)
• Various homemade pastries: vanilla cookies (vanilice), date-rolls (urmasice), walnut crescents
• Feast bread

In households that observe tradition, a glass of rakija or wine is placed on the table for the honored guest — the patron Stefan. Since many guests come from church, it is recommended that the warm dishes be ready in the first half of the day.

The Feast Liturgy and Rites

Hosts who celebrate Stefan should attend the morning Liturgy on the day of the feast, January 9. In larger parishes, the priest will during the service mention all who celebrate this feast. It is recommended that the host contact the priest the day before and announce the feast, so as to be included in the litanies and ektenia.

The central rite of the feast is the breaking of the slavski kolač. The priest comes to the home (or the host presents himself to the priest with the kolač before the Liturgy) and the following is performed:

1. Censing of the rooms and household
2. Moleben to Saint Stephen with the reading of the appropriate prayers
3. Breaking of the slavski kolač — the host and priest hold the bread and together turn it three times clockwise, with the singing of “Oj Stefane, slavni mučeniče…” (“O Stephen, glorious martyr…”)
4. Blessing of the žito and the feast table
5. The first toast with wine

The feast candle (oil lamp or candle before the icon of the patron saint) burns throughout the day of the feast. The icon of Saint Stephen should be in a prominent place, adorned with basil or flowers.

Preparing the Feast — Step by Step

One week ahead:

• Order the slavski kolač from a bakery or begin preparations if making it at home
• Contact the priest and schedule a visit or arrange to have the kolač blessed before the Liturgy
• Purchase provisions for the feast table
• Invite guests — bearing in mind that many travel during the holiday season

The day before:

• Cook the žito and leave to cool, then season with walnuts and honey
• Marinate the meat for the roast
• Prepare the sarma — it can be made two or three days ahead
• Tidy the room where the patron’s icon is kept

On the day of the feast:

• Rise early and attend the morning Liturgy
• Upon returning home, welcome the priest
• Serve guests breakfast (rakija, cheese, bread) while waiting for lunch
• Serve the main dishes around noon
• The breaking of the bread is traditionally performed before lunch

Tips for hosts:

• Since it falls between Christmas and the New Year, many friends and relatives may be on holiday — this is an ideal opportunity for a large celebration
• Co-ordinate with neighbours who may also be celebrating in the same period
• The feast table need not be overly elaborate — quality is more important than quantity

Greeting and Visiting

Guests who come to Stefanjdan bring traditional gifts: a bottle of wine or rakija, a cake, flowers, or a practical gift for the household. Greetings are offered with the words:

“Srećna slava!” — the most common greeting “Na mnoga leta!” — wishing the host a long life “Sveti Stefan da vas čuva!” — invoking the protection of the saint

The host responds: “I tebi srećni praznici, hvala ti što si nam čestitao.”

Guests who cannot come in person send greetings by telephone, message, or digitally — and this too is considered a lovely gesture. At the time of Stefanjdan, when many are already tired from the Christmas celebrations, a brief but warm message often means more than any gift.

Visits are traditionally not strictly scheduled — in the spirit of Serbian hospitality, the door is open throughout the day, and hosts always keep something on the table for unexpected visitors. This is especially pronounced during Stefanjdan, which falls at a time when the entire atmosphere is cheerful and open to spontaneous encounters.