Tomorrow is Materice Holiday

The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates Materice with its believers on Sunday, 29th December. It is always celebrated on the second Sunday before Christmas. Quite meaningfully, because Christmas is the holiday of the birth of Jesus Christ.

On the day of Materice, children get up early and, with a rope, scarf, ribbon, and strap prepared in advance, tie their mothers, just as mothers tied their children the previous week. In order to free themselves, the mothers must give gifts to the children. Children are allowed to tie their mothers several times during this day, so mothers, prepare enough gifts!

Children have the right to tie other women who are mothers. Aunts, neighbors, other relatives, friends - let every mother prepare well for her freedom.

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It is also customary to prepare a festive lunch for Materice, usually made of fasting food because it is time of the fast before Christmas. After lunch, the remaining food and gifts should be given to the poor. Since this is Women's Day, men prepare lunch while mothers and grandmothers rest.

According to old beliefs for newlyweds, the husband should tie his wife so that a new baby will arrive in the coming year. Going to church on the day of Materice is a ritual that women should not miss. In order for women to enter the New Year with greater strength, it is important to wear new clothes on their day.

Detinjci, Materice and Oci are celebrated to strengthen family ties, give gifts and spend quality time with family. These dates are reserved for family, love and harmony within it, respect and homage. Moreover, it is important to mark them in a way that children remember as the most beautiful moments of their childhood so that they can pass on the customs to their families when they become adults.

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