Day of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

Infanti - 40 martyrsOn this day in Serbia, it is customary to clean the house and yard, and burn garbage. Through the fire, all households must jump three times. Also on this day it is nice to sow potatoes.

In some places on the "Baby" - the holiday is called in Serbia - boys and girls gather after midnight, light the fire, sing and play until dawn. At dawn, everyone goes together to collect branches of willows, which go home. When they come home, they hit all the household members with branches, saying, “That he might be as healthy as a bull, that he might be as fast as a deer, that he might be as fat as a mumps, that he might grow like a sheep.”

Babies are given cakes anointed with honey. These cakes also change neighbors. Also on this day, guests who have become friends or relatives over the past year go to each other.