Serb Orthodox believers celebrate on Sunday Badnjak, a central tradition in Serbian Christmas celebration when a tree branch is cut, brought home and burned on the evening of Christmas Eve.

Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar which was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. and celebrate Christmas 13 days later than Christians who use the Gregorian calendar, adopted in 1582.

The Badnjak branch is usually ritually cut in the morning from an oak tree and brought home. As the branch is put on fire, the family prays for a happy and healthy new year.

Followers believe that Christmas is an opportunity to make peace with anyone they were quarrelling with.

Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Irinej will lead the consecration and the burning of the Badnjak in front of the St. Sava Temple in Belgrade on Sunday evening.

A mass and a Badnjak burning ritual will take place at the Old Church in downtown Sarajevo and it will be led by Bosnia’s Bishop Hrizostom.

Masses will be held in Zenica, Banja Luka and other cities in Bosnia and Serbia.