Slava is one of the most important family traditions among Serbian Orthodox Christians. From one generation to the next, a family inherits the celebration of its patron saint, while the feast day brings together family members, relatives and friends for prayer and the traditional Slava meal.
The Slava icon stands at the centre of the celebration. The Slava candle is lit and the Slava bread is broken before it. The icon is not simply a decoration placed in the home for the feast day, but a permanent part of the household and its family tradition.
Below is a guide to some of the most common Serbian Orthodox Slavas, arranged chronologically from autumn, together with recommended icons from our family workshop in Petrovčić, near Belgrade.
What is a Slava icon and where is it placed in the home?
A Slava icon depicts the saint whom the family honours as its patron. It is not displayed only on the day of the Slava, but remains in a dignified place in the home throughout the year.
Traditionally, it is placed in the prayer corner, usually on the eastern wall of the room where the family gathers. An oil lamp may be placed above or beside the icon, while the family prays and lights a candle before it.
A Slava icon is often passed down from one generation to the next. When a young host establishes a new household, they may inherit the family icon or receive a new icon of their family patron saint.
Saint Paraskeva - 27 October
Saint Paraskeva, also known as Venerable Mother Paraskeva, is one of the most widely respected female saints among Serbian Orthodox Christians. Her feast is celebrated on 27 October, and many families honour her as their patron saint.
An icon of Saint Paraskeva remains in the prayer corner of the home throughout the year. It may be given to a family that celebrates Saint Paraskeva, or to someone who has a special devotion to her.
For the feast of Saint Paraskeva, from our workshop:
- Saint Paraskeva - from 390 RSD
- Venerable Mother Paraskeva - Saint Paraskeva - from 390 RSD
- Icon of Saint Paraskeva on Papyrus and Wood - from 3,400 RSD
Saint Luke - 31 October
The feast of Saint Luke the Apostle and Evangelist is celebrated on 31 October. When choosing a Slava icon, it is important to distinguish Saint Luke the Apostle from Saint Luke of Crimea, who lived much later and is not the same saint.
Our current collection includes an icon of Saint Luke of Crimea. It is often chosen as a gift for doctors and healthcare professionals, but it should not be presented as a Slava icon of Saint Luke the Apostle.
You can view the icon here: Saint Luke of Crimea - from 390 RSD.
Mitrovdan - Saint Demetrius, 8 November
Mitrovdan is celebrated on 8 November and is dedicated to Saint Demetrius. It is one of the major autumn Slavas, and its icon usually depicts Saint Demetrius alone or on horseback.
Families that celebrate Mitrovdan keep the icon of Saint Demetrius in their prayer corner throughout the year. As a gift, you may choose a traditional icon, a depiction of the saint on horseback or an icon shaped like a book.
For Mitrovdan, from our workshop:
- Orthodox Icon of Saint Demetrius - from 390 RSD
- Saint Demetrius on Horseback - from 390 RSD
- Book-Shaped Icon of Saint Demetrius - from 750 RSD
Aranđelovdan - Saint Archangel Michael, 21 November
Aranđelovdan is celebrated on 21 November and is dedicated to Saint Archangel Michael. It is one of the most common Serbian Orthodox Slavas, so icons of Archangel Michael are frequently chosen for the family home or as a Slava gift.
The icon may depict Archangel Michael alone or Archangels Michael and Gabriel together. When choosing an icon, it is important that its title and image correspond to the saint honoured by the family.
For Aranđelovdan, from our workshop:
- Archangel Michael - from 390 RSD
- Icon of Archangel Michael - from 390 RSD
- Archangels Michael and Gabriel - from 390 RSD
View all icons of the Archangels in our collection.
Nikoljdan - Saint Nicholas, 19 December
Nikoljdan is celebrated on 19 December and is the most widespread Serbian Orthodox Slava. Because so many families honour Saint Nicholas, his icon is one of the most common choices for the family home, a housewarming gift or the first Slava of a young host.
A traditional Slava icon depicts Saint Nicholas, while some designs also include a ship. More decorative versions on papyrus are available, as well as a diptych with the Seven Arrows icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.
When buying an icon as a Nikoljdan gift, it is helpful to check whether the family already owns a Slava icon and which size would suit their home. A smaller format is suitable for an apartment or compact prayer corner, while a larger icon may become the central part of a family iconostasis.
For Nikoljdan, from our workshop:
- Icon of Saint Nicholas - from 390 RSD
- Icon of Saint Nicholas with a Ship - from 3,400 RSD
- Icon of Saint Nicholas on Papyrus - from 2,100 RSD
- Diptych of Saint Nicholas and the Seven Arrows Theotokos - from 870 RSD
Because of the large number of orders before Nikoljdan, it is best to order the icon at least three weeks before the feast.
Saint Stephen - Stefanjdan, 9 January
Stefanjdan is celebrated on 9 January. We currently do not have an icon of Saint Stephen in our collection, so families looking for one may contact us before ordering or follow future additions to our range.
Saint Basil the Great - 14 January
The feast of Saint Basil the Great is celebrated on 14 January. An icon of Saint Basil may be used as the central Slava icon or as part of a diptych with another saint whom the family especially honours.
For the feast of Saint Basil, from our workshop:
- Saint Basil the Great - from 390 RSD
- Diptych Icon of Saint Nicholas and Saint Basil - from 990 RSD
Jovanjdan - Saint John the Baptist, 20 January
Jovanjdan is celebrated on 20 January and is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It is one of the common winter Slavas, and icons of this saint are available in several different depictions.
You may choose a traditional depiction of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist or the image known as the Angel of the Desert.
For Jovanjdan, from our workshop:
- Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist - from 550 RSD
- Saint John the Baptist - Angel of the Desert - from 390 RSD
Savindan - Saint Sava, 27 January
Savindan is celebrated on 27 January. In addition to families that honour Saint Sava as their patron saint, his icons are often chosen for schools and classrooms, or as gifts for students and teachers.
For Savindan, from our workshop:
- Saint Sava - White Omophorion - from 390 RSD
- Saint Sava - Dark Omophorion - from 390 RSD
Saint Tryphon - 14 February
The feast of Saint Tryphon is celebrated on 14 February. His icon may be chosen as a family Slava icon or as a gift for a host who celebrates Saint Tryphon.
For this feast, view the Icon of Saint Tryphon from our workshop - from 390 RSD.
Đurđevdan - Saint George, 6 May
Đurđevdan is celebrated on 6 May and is dedicated to Saint George. It is one of the best-known spring Slavas, and its icon may depict Saint George alone or together with Saint Demetrius.
Before buying the icon as a gift, you may check whether the family prefers a traditional depiction of Saint George or an icon featuring both saints.
For Đurđevdan, from our workshop:
- Saint George - from 390 RSD
- Icon of Saint George - from 390 RSD
- Icon of Saint George and Saint Demetrius - from 390 RSD
Petrovdan - Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 12 July
Petrovdan is celebrated on 12 July and is dedicated to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Families that celebrate this Slava choose an icon of the Apostles for their prayer corner, in accordance with their family tradition.
In our collection, you can view the Icon of the Holy Apostle Paul - from 390 RSD.
Ilindan - Saint Elijah, 2 August
Ilindan is celebrated on 2 August and is dedicated to Saint Elijah. His icon is available in a traditional depiction, as well as an image of Saint Elijah in the Chariot of Fire.
For Ilindan, from our workshop:
- Icon of Saint Elijah - from 390 RSD
- Saint Elijah in the Chariot of Fire - from 390 RSD
A Slava icon as a gift
A Slava icon is a suitable and lasting gift for a family that celebrates a patron saint day. It is especially often given for a housewarming, wedding or the first Slava celebrated by a young host in a new home.
Before buying, it is useful to find out which saint the family honours, whether they already own an icon and how much space is available in their prayer corner. This makes it easier to choose the appropriate image and size.
An oil lamp, with prices from 1,490 RSD, or a home iconostasis, with prices from 3,590 RSD, may also be given together with the Slava icon.
When placing an order, there is also an option to mark the product as a gift and include a personal message for the recipient.
Order your Slava icon in time
Our icons are produced using lithography on an MDF base, with details finished by hand and protected with an environmentally friendly varnish. Every icon comes with a certificate of authenticity. Several sizes are available, with prices starting from 390 RSD.
Production and standard delivery throughout Serbia take 10-15 working days. Express delivery takes 3-4 working days. Because time is required for production, packaging and delivery, it is best to order a Slava icon at least three weeks before the feast.
View all icons of saints in one place - more than 80 icons with prices starting from 390 RSD.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I do not know which Slava my family celebrates?
First ask the oldest members of your family, since the Slava is passed down through generations. If the information cannot be established within the family, you may consult your parish priest.
Can a Slava icon be given as a gift?
Yes. A Slava icon is one of the traditional and lasting gifts for a housewarming, wedding or the first Slava in a new home. Before purchasing one, check which saint the family honours.
Where is the Slava icon placed in the home?
The Slava icon is traditionally placed in the prayer corner, usually on the eastern wall of the room where the family gathers. If the layout of the home does not allow this, choose a peaceful, clean and dignified place.
When should a Slava icon be ordered?
We recommend ordering a Slava icon at least three weeks before the feast. Standard production and delivery take 10-15 working days, while express delivery takes 3-4 working days.