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Trieste, Serbian community celebrates Orthodox Christmas

Yesterday evening prayer and 'badnjak', today "Great Mass"

07 January, 12:40

(ANSA) - TRIESTE - After the benediction of the 'badnjak', dry oak branch with leaves, and the Solemn Vespers, celebrated yesterday evening in a cozy atmosphere in the Temple of St. Spyridon, Trieste, the Serbian Orthodox community residing in the regional capital celebrates today the Orthodox Christmas, according to the Julian calendar.

The most important event is the solemn mass accompanied by the choir, which was celebrated by Father Rasko Radovic in the Temple of St. Spyridon this morning. The Mass, as well as vespers yesterday evening, were attended by hundreds of Serbian Orthodox faithful. The Serbian community in Trieste, which is one among the biggest in Italy and has been living in this city for centuries, has about 6-7,000 people, less numerous than in the past, because of the economic crisis, which has prompted many immigrants to return home or seek a job in other European countries.

Yesterday, by plunging a wooden cross into the stretch of sea in front of the Molo Audace, even the eastern Greek community of Trieste celebrated the "Theophany". Some volunteers, according to tradition, dived into the sea to retrieve it. (ANSA).

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