Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić greeted his compatriots on the eve of Christmas and called for reconciliation, BTA reports.
"I congratulate all Orthodox Christians on Badni den (Christmas Eve) and Božić (Christmas). Christ is born!", Vucic wrote on his Instagram profile.
According to the Serbian president, for Serbs today is a day when feelings such as humility and tenderness should be expressed.
"I ask all people in our country, with these feelings in their hearts, to turn to their loved ones and to all other people," Vucic added.
The Serbian president lit a candle in the presidency building, where a cut beech tree, called a Christmas tree, was placed.
According to the Serbian Orthodox Church, which follows the Julian calendar, today is Christmas Eve, and tomorrow is Christmas.
The traditional greeting among believers is "God is born!"
Later today, Vucic will leave for the Hiliandar Monastery and participate in the vigil before Christmas, he announced. he told the national Serbian television RTS.
The monks at the Hilendar Monastery, along with the other monasteries on Mount Athos, also celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar.