Burning of Yule log in front of Saint Sava Cathedral

BELGRADE - Patriarch Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church headed the consecration ceremony and the burning of the Yule log at the plateau in front of the Saint Sava Cathedral in Belgrade downtown late on Tuesday.

The ceremony of burning the Yule log was attended by a large number of citizens and the patriarch served the evening service in the Saint Sava Cathedral. After the ceremony, he said that the Yule log is a symbol of the great holiday of Christ's Nativity.

Marry be the Christmas Eve on which we lay to fire our ancient symbol, the Yule log as the symbol of the great holiday of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the patriarch said.

He noted that the burning of the Yule log is one of popular customs and added that many people today are not completely sure about the origins of this tradition.

This is a custom inherited from the ancient times, when our forefathers belonged to a different religion, and the Yule log was the symbol of their faith, the patriarch said.

Due to its natural properties, the Yule log can deliver extreme heat and brightness when set on fire, and this is the reason why it was taken to symbolise Christ who inspires the believers by flames of love and the light of truth, Patriarch Irinej said.

The Yule log is a symbol of love and light, a beautiful and good symbol of unity, unison and family life, he said.

Orthodox believers in Serbia celebrate Christmas Eve by traditional customs of bringing the Yule log into their homes and burning it, as well as by liturgies in churches throughout the country and family gatherings around a lean table ahead of the most joyous Christian holiday of Christmas.

Photo Tanjug, O. Toskic