Slava (tradition)

Slava Слава
Slava prepared for the veneration of Saints
Observed by	Serbian Orthodox Christians
Significance	Veneration of the family's patron saint
Observances	Church services, family and other social gatherings

Slava
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Slava prepared for the veneration of John the Baptist
Country	Serbia
Domains	Ritual, Celebration, Religious practice
Reference	01010
Region	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	2014 (9th session)
List	Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Part of a series on
Serbs
Native Serbia Vojvodina Kosovo and Metohija Bosnia and Herzegovina Montenegro Croatia North Macedonia Romania Hungary Albania Bulgaria Slovenia
Diaspora Europe Austria Azerbaijan Belarus France Germany Greece Italy Luxembourg Norway Portugal Russia Slovakia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom Overseas Argentina Australia Canada New Zealand South Africa United States Venezuela
Culture Symbols Religion Slava Christmas traditions Cultural Heritage sites Architecture Art Literature Epic poetry Music Cinema Costume Dances Cuisine Kinship Sport
History Name Origins History of Serbs History of Serbia Serbian rulers
Language Serbian Shtokavian Torlakian Šumadija–Vojvodina Eastern Herzegovinian Prizren-Timok Smederevo–Vršac Zeta–Raška Church Slavonic Old Slavonic-Serbian Serbo-Croatian South Slavic
Religion Serbian Orthodox Catholic Church Islamic Community
Related nations South Slavs Bosniaks Bulgarians Croats Macedonians Montenegrins
v t e

Slava (Serbian Cyrillic: Слава, lit. 'Glory, Celebration', pronounced [ˈslâʋa]) is a family's annual ceremony and veneration of their patron saint. The ceremony is found mainly among Orthodox Serbs.

Although its origin is unknown, this old tradition is an important ethnic marker of Serbian identity. It is a tribute to the family's first ancestor, through the male lineage, who was baptized into Christianity, with its presiding saint. The family celebrates the Slava annually on the saint's day. In 2014, it was inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists of Serbia.

Slavski kolač, also known simply as kolač, is a ritual bread often prepared during the celebration of the Slava.