High Representative in Bih Christian Schmidt and Mostar Mayor Mario Kordic visited the Congregational Church in Mostar on the occasion of Orthodox Christmas Day, where they were welcomed by many believers. 

The Holy Liturgy was held Friday morning at 9 am in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mostar, in the Zitomislici Monastery and in the village of Lokve.

The evening service with the laying of the Yule log began at 6 pm in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mostar, in the Zitomislic Monastery and in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Bijelo Polje. The laying of the Christmas tree in the church of St. Basil of Ostrog in Blagaj begins at 11:30 pm.

Високи представник Кристијан Шмит данас је са православним вјерницима и градоначелником Мостара Мариом Кордићем присуствовао паљењу бадњака у Мостару. / HR Christian Schmidt attended the burning of badnjak in Mostar together with Orthodox believers and Mostar Mayor Mario Kordić. pic.twitter.com/jFQycnWhTc

— OHR BiH (@OHR_BiH) January 6, 2023

On Sunday, January 8, at the Assembly of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the liturgy starting at 9 am will be served in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mostar, in the Zitomislici Monastery, in the Church of the Ascension in Bijelo Polje and in the Church of St. Basil of Ostrog in Blagaj.

On Christmas Day, the birth of the Savior is announced with vigil services and the lighting of the Christmas tree in Orthodox churches, whose coming into the world is celebrated as the beginning of a new era, and the Yule log, to which the Church has given a special meaning, is brought into Orthodox homes.

The Yule log is usually a young oak or cherry tree, which, according to tradition, is a symbol of the tree that the shepherds brought to Joseph and Mary to light the fire and warm the cave where Christ was born.

Christmas is, along with Easter, the most important holiday for Orthodox believers, and preparations for its celebration begin 40 days earlier with fasting, which symbolizes the purification of spirit and body.