Orthodox Christmas Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina is celebrated on January 7th, following the Julian calendar, which is used by the Serbian Orthodox Church. This day is a public holiday for members of the Orthodox Christian community, which constitutes a significant minority in the country.

History and Traditions:

• Religious Services: The celebration of Orthodox Christmas begins with Christmas Eve on January 6th, known as "Badnji dan" during which families attend church services. The liturgies continue into Christmas Day.
• Badnjak (Yule Log): A central custom is the burning of the Badnjak, a ceremonial log or branch that is brought into the home and burned on Christmas Eve.
• Christmas Morning Liturgy: On Christmas morning, worshippers attend a special liturgy called "Divine Liturgy of St. Basil".
• Fasting and Feasting: Fasting often takes place leading up to Christmas Day. The fast ends with a feast on Christmas Day, where traditional foods like pečenica (roasted pork), sarma (cabbage rolls), and various pastries are enjoyed.
• Greeting: It's common to greet one another with "Hristos se rodi!" ("Christ is born!") and respond with "Vaistinu se rodi!" ("Truly He is born!").

What People Do:

• Family Gatherings: Families come together to celebrate and spend time with each other.
• Gift-Giving: While not as commercial as in some other cultures, exchanging gifts can be part of family celebrations.
• Visiting Relatives and Friends: It's customary to visit relatives and friends during the holiday period.

Overall, Orthodox Christmas in Bosnia and Herzegovina blends religious reverence with cultural practices, reflecting the country's multi-ethnic composition.