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In this Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, picture, Bosnian Serb Novica Stanar, 65, holds an oak tree, the Orthodox Christmas symbol, as his grandson Viktorleans against a fence, in Pale, Bosnia. Bosnian Serbs celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, according to the Julian calendar.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)
- Amel Emric
In this Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, picture, Bosnian Serb Novica Stanar, 65, cuts an oak tree, the Orthodox Christmas symbol, as his grandchildren Selena Stanar, left, and Viktor throw wheat seeds, in Pale, Bosnia. Like many other Orthodox Christians around the world, Serbs observe holidays according to the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar adopted during the 16th century. That means they celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7 instead of Dec. 25. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)
- Amel Emric
In this Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, picture, Bosnian Serb Novica Stanar, 65, holds an oak tree, the Orthodox Christmas symbol, as his grandchildren Selena Stanar, right, and Viktor tag along, in Pale, Bosnia. Bosnian Serbs celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, according to the Julian calendar.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)
- Amel Emric
In this Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, picture, a Bosnian Serb man throws wood into a fire as he roasts sheep on Orthodox Christmas eve, in Pale, Bosnia. Like many other Orthodox Christians around the world, Serbs observe holidays according to the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar adopted during the 16th century. That means they celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7 instead of Dec. 25. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)
- Amel Emric
In this Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, picture, Bosnian Serb Novica Stanar, 65, caries dried oak branches, the Orthodox Christmas symbol, as his grand daughter Selena Stanar walks by skins of sacrificed sheep, in Pale, Bosnia. Bosnian Serbs celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, according to the Julian calendar.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)
- Amel Emric
In this Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, picture, Bosnian Serbs attend the Orthodox Christmas eve religious service at the Orthodox church in the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, Bosnia. Like many other Orthodox Christians around the world, Serbs observe holidays according to the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar adopted during the 16th century. That means they celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7 instead of Dec. 25. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)
- Amel Emric
In this Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, picture, Bosnian Serbs pray during the Orthodox Christmas eve religious service at the Orthodox church in the Bosnian capital, before a ceremonial burning of dried oak branches, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Like many other Orthodox Christians around the world, Serbs observe holidays according to the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar adopted during the 16th century. That means they celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7 instead of Dec. 25. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)
- Amel Emric
In this Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, picture, Bosnian Serb women, seen through flames, attend a ceremonial burning of dried oak branches during the Orthodox Christmas eve religious service at the Orthodox church in the Bosnian capital, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Like many other Orthodox Christians around the world, Serbs observe holidays according to the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar adopted during the 16th century. That means they celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7 instead of Dec. 25. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)
- Amel Emric
In this Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, picture, Bosnian Serbs attend a ceremonial burning of dried oak branches during the Orthodox Christmas eve religious service at the Orthodox church in the Bosnian capital, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Bosnian Serbs celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, according to the Julian calendar.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)
- Amel Emric
In this Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, picture, Bosnian Serb men ride horses during a traditional Orthodox Christmas Eve parade in the village of Glamocani, Bosnia. Like many other Orthodox Christians around the world, Serbs observe holidays according to the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar adopted during the 16th century. That means they celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7 instead of Dec. 25.(AP Photo/Radivoje Pavicic)
- Radivoje Pavicic
In this Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, picture, a Bosnian Serb woman picks branches during the Orthodox Christmas eve religious service at the Orthodox church in the Bosnian capital, before a ceremonial burning of dried oak branches, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Bosnian Serbs celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, according to the Julian calendar.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)
- Amel Emric
AP PHOTOS: Bosnian Serbs observe Christmas as ancient ritual
- By VADIM GHIRDA Associated Press
- Updated