What Is Orthodox Christmas? Facts, Photos Of Celebrations

Orthodox Christians in some parts of Europe and other countries including Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Serbia celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, two weeks after those from Western churches.

The 13-day gap is because Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar while majority of Christians, from other denominations, follow the modern day Gregorian calendar. Though the Julian calendar was revised and re-introduced in 1923 in order match it with the Gregorian calendar, only some countries like Cyprus and Romania have adopted it.

“December 25 for Orthodox Christians on the Julian calendar actually falls on January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. So strictly speaking, Christmas is still kept on December 25, which just happens to fall 13 days later on the Julian calendar day,” Archimandrite Christopher Calin, dean of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection said, the Christian Post reported.

The festival is also celebrated differently by Orthodox Christians. Though some aspects like the Christmas tree and giving gifts are common, Orthodox Christians focus primarily on the spiritual side of the season. This includes fasting and charity.

“We focus more on the aspect of the incarnation of Christ and the cosmic salvation it has for all mankind. While many of the external trappings are the same, like Christmas trees, wreaths, ribbons and gifts, there is an increased emphasis on the spiritual reality of this truly miraculous mystery of God becoming man, so that man may be united to God and each other,” Calin said.

They observe a 40-day fast before Christmas and avoid eating meat during the season. On the Christmas Eve, they have a meal consisting of 12 meat-free dishes — one for each of the 12 apostles. Some of the dishes includes sauerkraut (cabbage) and red perogies (boiled or deep fried dumplings) and potatoes.

“Many people observe all 40 days leading to Christmas as a way to renew their faith and relationship to God,” said Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonides of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of New York.

Apart from that, the Christmas Eve dinner is usually covered with white or embroidered tablecloth which symbolized the cloth that baby Jesus was wrapped in. Some people also use straws to decorate the table which symbolizes the stable where Jesus was born. Candles are also lit in order to represent the end of fasting. Extra places are also set at the table in some houses for spirits of dead family members.

Post dinner, small treats such as chocolate and cookies are distributed to neighbors and in countries such as Belarus, they go home and sing carols and dance for the neighbors. In other countries, special religious ceremonies are held near seas, rivers and lakes in order to celebrate the festival, CBC reported.

Jan.7 is a public holiday in countries like Belarus, Egypt, Macedonia, Moldova, Ethiopia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.