Summary/Abstract: During the 18th century, at the time of the reform in the Metropolis of Sremski Karlovci, the Serbian religious calendar was reformed as well. The annulment of the jussive holidays that were celebrated as non¬working days was done in three steps by the Holy Synod of Bishops which was under a heavy pressure by the ruler. At the beginning of the reform in 1769, the orthodox calendar had 121 jussive holidays. After the third reduction, made in 1786, there were 29 of them left. At the time of the second reduction of orthodox holidays, which started in 1774, among the repealed holidays were those dedicated to Serbian saints. In the calendar there was only one Serbian holiday dedicated to Saint Sava, who was proclaimed the national defender. Two documents, presented in this paper, were created during the session of the Holy Synod of Bishops in 1774. The first document contains the list of 35 jussive holidays which, in the opinion of the Bishops, must not be repealed. Among them are 13 holidays dedicated to Serbian saints. Although this was not the final solution, this decision indicates that the Synod attempted to reject demands and resist the pressures from Vienna. The second document contains mostly Maria Theresa’s remarks on the former work and decisions of the Synod, as well as new requirements indicating the direction in which the reform of the orthodox calendar should continue.
