The celebration of the day of Saint Sava in Serbian schools in Sandzak of Skopje at the end of the XIX and the beginning of XX century
Authors: Dedović Vukašin 
Published: April 2023

At the end of the XIX and beginning of XX century The Saint Sava's cult was developed not just in Serbia and Montenegro but also in other Serbian areas which were under Turkish Empire and Austro - Hungarian Monarchy. In Old Serbia and Macedonia where Serbian people lived, before Serbian - Turkish war from 1876 - 78., The Day of Saint Sava was celebrated in cities like:Tetovo, Prizren, Priština, Vučitrn, Mitrovica, Gnjilane, Vranje, Niš, Skoplje, Kratovo, Kočan. However, as Serbian - Turkish war was proclaimed 1876 - 1878. All Serbian schools in Turkey had to stop working. After the war, most Serbian schools in Old Serbia, especially in Macedonia, remained closed. The work of Serbian schools was forbidden and Serbian name must not be spoken out loud. After passing the law of public schooling in Turkey (1891) Porta allowed opening of private schools, primarily in Skoplje, and then in Thessaloniki (December 1892), and since May 1893 in the whole Macedonian part of Kosovo vilayet. For Bitola and Thessaloniki's vilayet permission was obtained in April 1897. Serbian schools in Skoplje took part in all bigger events, holy days and celebrations in city itself as well as in entourage, and in some cases outwards. The Serbs celebrated all Christian holidays and in this way they raised Serbian national spirit. However, the greatest holy days are kept on the Day of the First Serbian Archbishop, educator and teacher, Saint Sava. In the year 1893. began the celebration of the Day of Saint Sava in Serbian schools in several places of Sandzak of Skoplje (Kratovo, Kočan, Berovo, Tetovo), and in the year of 1895. In Skoplje, when work of primary schools was renewed and Gymnasium was established, as well as in Kumanovo, in villages of Kriva Palanka - Rankovac i Stanco, villages of Kočan - Beli and Nivičani, and in Maleška area in villages like Ratevo and Berovo. The Day of Saint Sava was celebrated for the first time in the year of 1896. in Serbian schools in Kriva Palanka, Gostivar and in village of Pobužje (Montenegro of Skoplje), and in year of 1897. In Serbian schools in Kućevište (Montenegro of Skoplje), Leunovo (Mavrovo), as well as in villages of Skoplje area in villages (Kruševica, Tabanovci, Cetirći, Nikuljan, Algunja, Dragomanac, Klecovac, Jačica i Kusan), and in several villages around Tetovo (Brezno, Odra, Belovište, Vratnince, Rogočevo, Sirinić, Tudenc, Galat, Mavrovo, Dufa, Jarekitim and Tajmiste). Since the year of 1899. The Day of Saint Sava was celebrated in the village of Pantalej in Kočan, as well as the village of Smojmirov (Maleška area), and in newly opened schools in Rogačevo and Trudenc in Tetovo. The celebration of the Day of Saint Sava in Serbian schools in Sandžak of Skoplje was a special event. Administration of school chose the board more than a month before the celebration which had to prepare and more solemnly organize Saint Sava's celebration. Shortly before the Day of Saint Sava, according to the old custom, slav stake and Slavonic wheat were prepared, the hall is properly decorated, and general rehearsal of the program was held. Celebration started the night before the holiday by the evening liturgy in the church and there were also students and teachers. On the Day of Saint Sava, morning liturgy was held in honour of the Saint. After the morning liturgy priests, people and students went for litia from the churchyard towards school with the humming of church bells and the song "Uskliknimo s ljubavlju". In school, water consecration and cutting the bread are done, and then the host for the next celebration is chosen. After that, the administrator or some of the teachers adress to gathered people with convenient speech in which they describe the life of Saint Sava briefly and his merits for Serbian people. At the end of the speech one would ask gathered for donations in order to help poor students and people would do so. After the speech solemn program was held which included recitation and Serbian songs. In the afternoonin the school yard, folk festival, dance was held and it lasted until dark. In the evening there was a dinner party which was used to collect donations for poor students.