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A very Ilic Christmas

Posted December 20, 2006

Every year, Jasmina Ilic's mom calls the CU senior to tell her merry Christmas, and every year Jasmina has forgotten it's Christmas.

But that's because the Serbian is used to celebrating Christmas on Jan. 7 and Ilic is usually busy playing basketball on that day and has forgotten about Christmas.

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on Jan. 7, in accordance with the old Julian calendar, which is when Ilic and her family have traditionally celebrated Christmas.

In another twist, Santa Claus used to come to her house in Serbia on New Year's, not on Christmas.

From the website, pulseoftheplanet.com: "After the 1917 Revolution, Christmas was banned throughout Russia, along with other religious celebrations. It wasn't until 75 years later, in 1992, that the holiday was openly observed. Today, it's once again celebrated in grand fashion, with the faithful participating in an all-night Mass in incense-filled Cathedrals amidst the company of the painted icons of Saints.

"Christmas in Russia is associated with a number of other practices, which represent a blending of tradition from Russia's Christian and pre-Christian past."

Happy holidays,

Chris