Feast days are the heartbeat of the Orthodox Christian calendar, providing moments of joy, reflection, and renewal in our faith. These sacred days are not merely historical remembrances but vibrant celebrations of God’s work in the world, inviting us to engage in His grace. As families, we can bring these feasts into our homes, transforming them from just dates on a calendar into experiences that deepen our faith and strengthen our bonds.
Understanding the Importance of Feast Days
The Church provides feast days to sanctify time. In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to observe holy days (Leviticus 23), and Christ Himself engaged in these celebrations (John 10:22-23). In the New Testament, the Church carries on this tradition, honoring Christ’s life, the Theotokos, and the saints. Celebrating feast days reminds us that our faith is not just for Sundays but is woven into every aspect of life.
Ways to Celebrate Feast Days as a Family
- Attend Church Services Together
The best way to honor a feast is by participating in the Church’s Divine Liturgy, Vespers, or other special services. Even if the feast occurs on a weekday, attending—especially for significant feasts—sets an example for children that these days are important. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” (Psalm 122:1)
- Learn About the Feast’s Meaning
Take time to explain the significance of each feast in a way that is appropriate for your children’s ages. Read from the Bible, Orthodox books, or the Synaxarion (the lives of the saints). For example, on the Feast of the Transfiguration, read Matthew 17:1-9 together and discuss Christ’s divine glory. “These things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31)
- Decorate Your Home for the Feast
Decorate your icon corner with fresh flowers or festive cloths to create a prayerful atmosphere. Place the icon of the feast at the center and light a candle in front of it. This simple act helps children visually connect with the Church’s rhythm.
- Prepare a Special Meal
Food plays a crucial role in Orthodox feasts, just as it did in biblical times. Prepare traditional dishes associated with the feast or a beloved family recipe. If the feast coincides with a fasting day, find a way to make the meal festive while adhering to fasting guidelines. 
- Nativity of Christ (Christmas) – Bake Christmas bread (“cesnica’’) or make a sweet bread.
- Theophany (Epiphany) – Drink blessed water and enjoy a simple meal after the service.
- Pascha (Easter) – Prepare lamb, sweet desserts, and red eggs, proclaiming “Christ is Risen!”
- Dormition of the Theotokos – Enjoy summer fruits in honor of the Theotokos.
Serbian Orthodox Traditions Tied to Feasts
Each Orthodox culture boasts unique traditions that enhance our celebrations of feasts. For instance, Serbian Orthodox families have deeply rooted customs associated with various holy days. One of the most cherished traditions is the Slava, a celebration of a family’s patron saint day, marked by a special blessing in church, prayers at home, and the sharing of Slava bread (Slavski Kolač) and wheat (Žito).
Other Serbian feast-day traditions include:
- Badnjak on Christmas Eve – Bringing in an oak branch (Badnjak) and burning it as a symbol of Christ’s birth.
- Blessing of Water on Theophany – Families take blessed water home for spiritual protection.
- Lazarus Saturday (Vrbica) – Children receive little bells and willow branches to commemorate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.
Educating children about these rich traditions helps them connect their faith to their heritage and reinforces their Orthodox identity. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)
- Sing or listen to hymns for the feast.
Each feast features its own hymns that convey profound theological truths. Singing the Troparion or Kontakion of the feast together is a beautiful way to bring the spirit of the Church into your home. Additionally, you can play Orthodox chant recordings as background music throughout the day.
- Engage in charitable acts.
Feast days provide perfect opportunities to teach children about love and generosity. Christ instructs us to care for others (Matthew 25:35-40), and celebrating a feast can involve visiting the sick, donating to the poor, or simply preparing a meal for a neighbor.
- Create Family Traditions
Every family can develop its meaningful traditions:
- Lighting a special candle for feast days.
- Having childr
- Reenacting Bible stories for feasts like Nativity or Theophany.
- Going ona nature walk to reflect on God’s creation (great for Transfiguration or Pentecost).
- Conclude the Day with Prayer and Reflection
At the end of the feast, gather as a family to pray and thank God for the day’s blessings. Ask each child to share what they learned or enjoyed. This will encourage them to engage with the feast on a personal level. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Keeping the Feast in Your Hearts
Feast days are not just about rituals; they are about deepening our love for Christ and His Church. By celebrating together as a family, we pass on the faith to our children in joyful, memorable, and transformative ways. Over time, these celebrations shape their hearts, teaching them that the Orthodox faith is not merely something we believe—it is something we live.