Jan 14

Ass, Feast of the

This French festival is for the flight of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus into Egypt to escape King Herod. It was customary to have a girl carrying a baby and riding an elaborately decorated ass led through the streets to the church, where a Mass was said. Over the years the celebration turned silly, with the priest and congregation imitating the braying of an ass at various times during the service and the ass was feasted in the church. By the fifteenth century the feast had obviously a farce, and it was suppressed thereafter by the Church.

St. Sava's Day

Sveti Sava (1174-1237) was the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church. His death is a special feast day since he is the Patron Saint of this region.