Three hundred attend Badnje Veče in Corby

Three hundred worshippers came for the traditional Serbian burning of the yule log at St Elijah's Church in Corby.

The Church hall was packed with people as parish priest Proto-Stavrofor Radmilo Stokić blessed the badnjak oak, which had been prepared earlier in the day.

Once parishioners had gathered parcels of badnjak to take home, several ceremonial branches were taken to the bonfire outside to be burned according to tradition.

The icons in the Church have recently been restored following extensive works and four new frescoes have been commissioned to adorn the temple, the second purpose-built Serbian Orthodox Church in the country.

The following day, the faithful gatehred again for morning matins where they greeted one another in the traditional way:

CHRIST IS BORN!