Happy Slava?
Among the Serbian people, it is common to celebrate the patron Saint of a family or patron Saint or feast day of a parish. This card acts as the perfect way to wish a family a Happy Slava!
But what does "Slava" even mean?
The word "Slava" (Слава) in Serbian literally means "glory," "fame," or "honor."
In the context of the Serbian Orthodox tradition, this meaning is deeply significant. When a family celebrates their Slava, they are not just having a party; they are "glorifying," "honoring," and "praising" their patron saint. It is an act of spiritual reverence and a public declaration of their faith.
The word itself has deep roots in Proto-Slavic languages and is related to the word "slovo" meaning "word" or "speech." This connection suggests that the original meaning might have been tied to "being spoken of" or having "a good word" spoken about you, which evolved into "fame" and "glory." You can see this root in many Slavic names that end in "-slav," such as Miroslav (peace + glory), Jaroslav, and Stanislav.
In essence, the Slava tradition is a physical and spiritual manifestation of the word's meaning—a day dedicated to giving glory and honor to a family's chosen protector and intercessor before God.
The Little Orthodox Village:
This set of cards and related products is an exclusive offering of Theophany Works featuring original artwork which displays scenes from Orthodox Christian life. We love the BIG T and little t traditions of our Faith! "The Little Orthodox Village" is a testament of that love. We like to think these sweet greeting cards will bless those who receive them and will edify the faithful with a reminder of the purity of the Orthodox Christian Faith and life.
***Each Card is 5x7" When folded flat, and comes with a beautiful envelope and gold foil sticker.
