Petrovdan – das Fest der Sveti apostoli Petar i Pavle - svetazvezda

Petrovdan – the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

July 9, 2026

On July 12th, the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates Petrovdan – the feast day of Sveti apostoli Petar i Pavle (Saints Peter and Paul). According to the Julian calendar, this day corresponds to June 29th. Petrovdan is one of the major feasts of the church year and is marked with a red letter in the calendar. For many Serbian families – both in their homeland and in the diaspora – it is also Krsna Slava: the day on which the family honors its patron saint.

Petrovdan marks the end of Petrovski post (Apostles' Fast). The day combines liturgy, family tradition, and centuries-old folk customs such as lighting Lile torches on the eve of the feast. In 2026, Petrovdan falls on a Sunday – a feast day that brings church and family together in a special way.

Svetazvezda Ikone Sveti Petar i Pavle - svetazvezda

Icons of Saints Peter and Paul

Who was Sveti apostol Petar (Saint Peter the Apostle)?

Sveti Petar was originally named Simon and came from Bethsaida on Lake Gennesaret. He was a fisherman and brother of Sveti Andrej Prvozvani (Saint Andrew the First-Called). Christ himself called him to be a "fisher of men" and gave him the name Petar (Peter) – from the Greek word for rock. Peter was the first among the disciples to declare: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." These words are still considered an expression of unwavering faith.

After the descent of the Holy Spirit, Sveti Petar preached the Gospel in Palestine, Syria, Asia Minor, and Antioch, where the first communities of the young church were established. Two of his letters – the Catholic Epistles of Peter – are part of the New Testament. Tradition holds that he was entrusted with the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, Sveti Petar is depicted on Orthodox icons with the keys in his hand.

Sveti Petar i Pavle – Serbisch-orthodoxe Schutzkerze für Gebet und Slava - svetazvezda

Candle Sveti Petar i Pavle

Who was Sveti apostol Pavle (Saint Paul the Apostle)?

Sveti Pavle, a native of Tarsus, was named Saul before his conversion. As a Pharisee, he initially persecuted Christians. On the road to Damascus, the Lord appeared to him – an event that completely changed his life. The persecutor Saul became Paul, one of the greatest preachers and teachers of the early Church. He tirelessly traveled throughout the Mediterranean region and founded communities. His letters form a significant part of the New Testament.

On icons, Sveti Pavle is depicted with a sword – a sign of his martyrdom and also a symbol of the "sword of the Spirit," the Word of God.

Why are Peter and Paul celebrated together?

Both apostles suffered martyrdom in Rome under Emperor Nero, traditionally in the year 67. Sveti Petar was crucified upside down, at his own request, because he did not consider himself worthy to die like his Lord. Sveti Pavle, as a Roman citizen, was beheaded with a sword. The Church calls them the Prvovrhovni apostoli (Chief Apostles) because they laid the foundation of Christian proclamation.

Their paths could not be more different: the simple fisherman who followed out of deep faith – and the scholar who went from persecutor to evangelist. This is precisely the message of Petrovdan: there are many paths to faith, and no one is lost who is willing to repent.

The Petrovski post (Apostles' Fast)

Petrovdan marks the end of the Petrovski post, also called the Apostolski post (Apostles' Fast). This fast commemorates the apostles preparing for their mission with prayer and fasting after Pentecost before going out into the world.

The Petrovski post has a peculiarity: its beginning is movable, its end fixed. It begins on the Monday after Nedelja svih svetih (All Saints' Sunday) and always ends on the eve of Petrovdan. Depending on the date of Easter, it lasts between just over a week and six weeks. In 2026, it lasted 34 days – from June 8th to July 11th – making it one of the longer ones in recent years.

The Petrovski post is considered the mildest of the major fasts: meat, dairy products, and eggs are avoided, while fish is permitted on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on certain feast days. The Church always emphasizes that fasting is not just a matter of food, but of inner attitude – prayer, reconciliation, and good works are inextricably linked to it. The fast ends with the feast day itself, and the festive table can once again be richly set.

Lile – the torches of Petrovdan night

The most impressive folk custom is the Lilanje (torch-carrying) on the eve of Petrovdan. Especially in western Serbia, in Rađevina and Valjevska Podgorina, children and young people light Lile – torches made from the young bark of wild cherry or birch – and carry them through the village, to squares and crossroads.

The custom commemorates the time of Christian persecution, when believers suffered for their faith. At the same time, people believe that the fire of the Lile wards off illness, hail, and misfortune, and brings health and blessings to the house. The light of the torches on a summer night symbolically recalls the light that Sveti Petar i Pavle brought into the world with their lives.

Petrovača – the apples of Sveti Petar

Inseparably linked with Petrovdan are Petrovača apples, an early apple variety that ripens precisely around this feast. According to popular belief, Sveti Petar distributes apples to children in the afterlife on this day. Therefore, in many places, mothers who had lost a child did not eat apples before Petrovdan.

In some regions – for example, in southern Banat – apples are given to neighbors on the morning of Petrovdan for the souls of the deceased. Elsewhere, apples are brought to the church. It is a widespread custom to bake cakes with apples on Petrovdan. In Vojvodina, it was also customary that apples could not be cut with a knife until Petrovdan – otherwise, it was believed, hail would threaten the fields.

Further customs and folk beliefs

Petrovdan was considered a calendar boundary in the agricultural year – the peak of summer, after which nature slowly turns towards autumn. On this day, heavy work ceases: no work is done in the fields, no horses are harnessed, no new tasks are started.

A beautiful maiden's custom connects Petrovdan with Ivanjdan (July 7th, Feast of Saint John the Baptist): those who sowed wheat on Ivanjdan look for the sprouts on Petrovdan. If they have bent into rings, it is said that a wedding will take place in the same year. According to folk belief, Sveti Petar guards the keys to paradise and brings the warm season in which grain ripens.

Petrovdan as Krsna Slava

Many Serbian families celebrate Petrovdan as their Krsna Slava. As with every Slava, the Slavski kolač (Slava bread), the Žito or Koljivo (wheat dish), the Slava candle, and communal prayer are central. Since Petrovdan marks the end of the fasting period, the festive table can be richly set – traditionally with fish, Pogača, cheese, honey, and fruits, and in many places also with apple cake made from Petrovača apples.

For families celebrating Petrovdan: You can find everything for festive preparations – from Slava candles to incense (Tamjan) and icon decorations for the home altar – in our Slava assortment .

Modlice für slavski kolač – 12 - teiliges Sveti Petar i Pavle - svetazvezda

Molds for Slavski Kolac

Petrovdan in the Diaspora

For the Serbian Orthodox community in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, Petrovdan is more than just a date on the calendar. In the middle of summer, often shortly before traveling home, this feast connects families here with their roots. Attending the liturgy, lighting a candle, calling family in Serbia, setting the table – all this keeps alive what generations have passed down.

Sveti Petar i Pavle carried the faith across borders and seas. Perhaps this is the quietest and strongest message of Petrovdan for the diaspora: faith knows no distance.

Happy Slava to all who celebrate Petrovdan – Saints Peter and Paul!

Frequently Asked Questions about Petrovdan (FAQ)

When is Petrovdan 2026?
Petrovdan falls every year on July 12th (June 29th according to the Julian calendar). In 2026, it is a Sunday.

Why is the feast called Petrovdan, even though Sveti Pavle is also celebrated?
The name after Sveti Petar has become common among the people. Ecclesiastically, the feast is dedicated to both apostles; the day after is celebrated in some places as Pavlovdan.

How long does the Petrovski post last?
The beginning is movable (first Monday after Nedelja svih svetih), the end is fixed (eve of Petrovdan). The duration varies between about eight days and six weeks. In 2026: June 8th to July 11th, so 34 days.

What are Lile?
Torches made from the young bark of wild cherry or birch, lit on the eve of Petrovdan – especially in western Serbia. They commemorate the persecuted early Christians and are believed to bring health and protection.

Is there fasting on Petrovdan?
No. Petrovdan marks the end of the Petrovski post. If the feast day falls on a Wednesday or Friday, fish, wine, and oil are permitted.

What do you eat on Petrovdan?
Traditionally, fish, Pogača, cheese, honey, and fruits – and in many places, cake with Petrovača apples, the early apple variety that ripens around the feast.