Serbia Observes Summer Feast of Saint Nicholas

Today, the Serbian Orthodox Church and its faithful commemorate the summer feast of Saint Nicholas, a significant day marking the translation of his holy relics from ancient Lycia to Bari, Italy, where they remain to this day. This occasion is widely observed across Serbia, with numerous families and communities celebrating it as a 'mala slava' (minor feast), 'preslava' (secondary feast day), or 'zavetina' (vow feast).

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This day is a commemoration of the transfer of Saint Nicholas's holy relics from Myra, an ancient city in ancient Lycia, to Bari, where they rest to this day.

The historical event of the relic's transfer was accompanied by numerous miracles, including the healing of the sick, lame, blind, and deaf. The faithful believe these miraculous occurrences continue, and people worldwide turn to Saint Nicholas in times of hardship and illness. Revered even during his lifetime for his humility and righteousness, he was known for his secret acts of charity towards the poor, earning him a reputation as a saintly figure.

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He is considered a saint even during his lifetime, modest and righteous, he helped the poor, doing good deeds in secret.

Saint Nicholas is particularly venerated as the patron saint of children, scholars, merchants, and sailors. In Serbia, his primary feast day is celebrated on December 19th (Nikoljdan), commemorating his death in 343 AD. For those who celebrate Nikoljdan, the translation of relics is observed as a 'preslava,' and vice versa. The summer feast, despite not falling in the summer season, is often called 'summer Saint Nicholas' or 'Nikolice' due to the typically pleasant weather on this day. The tradition of giving gifts to children, similar to the winter celebration, is also observed in some regions. Notably, the cities of Kikinda and Šid mark this day as their patronal feast.

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Although it does not belong to summer calendrically, due to the often beautiful weather on this day, the holiday is also called summer Saint Nicholas, and in some places, Nikolice.