Preceding tomorrow's celebrations, the blessing of badnjak, a small oak log symbolising the strength which Christ brings to the world and people, took place on Christmas eve.

Later on, celebrations will continue with midnight or early morning masses held in Orthodox parishes across Slovenia - Ljubljana, Koper, Nova Gorica, Kranj, Celje, Maribor and Novo mesto.

Some 45,000 people said they were of Orthodox faith in the latest population census in 2011.

They celebrate Christmas nearly a fortnight later than most Christians because they use the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Georgian calendar used by the most of the world.