December 25th might have also been chosen because the Winter Solstice and the ancient pagan Roman midwinter festivals called ‘Saturnalia’ and ‘Dies Natalis Solis Invicti’ took place in December around this date. ... Herod, the king of Judea, died in 4 BC. For example, in Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania, Christmas celebrations are held on the 25th of December. By 1923, there was a 13-day difference between the two calendars, putting Orthodox Christmas 13 days after December 25. Lenten bread… Eleven days were dropped to make up for the calendar discrepancy that accumulated with Julian calendar when England and Scotland switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in 1752. Saint Nicholas Day, also called the Feast of Saint Nicholas, is observed on 6 December or on 5 December in Western Christian countries, and on 19 December in Eastern Christian countries using the old church Calendar.It is the feast day of Nicholas of Myra with particular regard to his reputation as a bringer of gifts.. Many people, especially in rural areas, did not accept the loss of these 11 days and preferred to use the Julian calendar. As a result these churches remain 13 days behind. Public Life. Therefore, some Christians celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ on the 25th. It is believed that fasting helps people shift their focus from themselves to others, spending less time worrying about food and using more time in increased prayer and caring for the poor. Live. The Julian calendar was revised in 1923 and this version is more in line with the Gregorian calendar. Orthodox Christians in central and eastern Europe and other parts of the world celebrate Christmas on January 7. The Gospel of St Matthew in the Bible claims he was born during Herod the Great’s reign. So the birth date of Jesus was most probably never recorded. One theory is that 25 December was chosen to Christianise the pagan festival which some Christians were still celebrating, even as late as the 4th Century. The Christmas dates around January 7 may vary among some churches. Privacy & Terms. Foods may include: 1. From now on, most of the liturgical hymns in Greek Orthodox … This means that churches still on the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on 6 January and they celebrate Epiphany on 19 January, Source: Lychnos December 2016 / January 2017, © 2020 Greek Orthodox Christian Society | Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia |. December 25 in the Gregorian calendar is a bank holiday, … One traditional Russian Christmas dish is baked goose with apples. So, take it easy … Like most Greeks, I was raised in the Orthodox Church. Orthodox Christians who use the older version of the Julian calendar, celebrate this occasion on December 25 in the older calendar, which is January 7 in the Gregorian calendar. In Christianity, the Nativity Fast is a period of abstinence and penance practiced by the Eastern Orthodox Church and Catholic Church in preparation for the Nativity of Jesus on December 25. Today, the Russian, Jerusalem, Serbian, Georgian, and Polish Orthodox Churches live by the Julian calendar, as well as the monasteries on Mount Athos in Greece and the Orthodox and Greek … Greek Orthodox Christmas. So, it was a time when people already celebrated things and it was good to give a Christian focus in that period of the year. In some parts of Christendom the feast of Christmas was celebrated on 6 December, while in other parts it stayed on 6 January. These commemorations were each given different dates and you can be sure there was a lot of debate about the dates. Shellfish may be allowed even on days that exempt fish except for these. greek orthodox christmas 2017, eastern orthodox christmas, greek orthodox church christmas day, greek orthodox church christmas, russian orthodox christmas, eastern orthodox christmas 2020, greek orthodox christmas dates, greek orthodox christmas 2019 All Requirements Good knowledge will probably experienced attorney specialist Practice will devote some water are … Hong Kong); in others, Christian minorities or foreign cultural influences have led populations to observe the holiday. Interestingly, the Armenian Orthodox Church, which broke away from the Universal Church in the fourth century and thus did not change its practice of celebrating Christmas, still celebrates Epiphany as a combined commemoration of the birth and baptism of Christ, just as the Church did in the 2nd – 3rd century. Foods may include: Christmas Day, on the other hand, is a day for feasting and enjoying the company of friends and family members. Lots of Orthodox Christians fast before January 7, and exclude meat and dairies from their meals. Christmas Day/ December 25, 2020 - Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church of Florence, SC. Countries such as Japan, where Christmas is popular despite there being only a small number of Christians, have a… Christmas celebrations in Greece officially last for 14 days, starting on Christmas Eve and ending on Epiphany (6 January) with the ‘Great Blessing of Water’. Orthodox Christians who use the revised Julian calendar celebrate Christmas Day on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who many Christians believe is the son of God. Why do many countries set the clocks back and forth an hour twice a year? Vegetables and herbs such as potatoes, peas, and garlic. Most people measured their ages by making a connection to a historical event. The earliest known indication of a celebration of Christmas comes in a passing statement by St Clement of Alexandria who mentions that the Egyptians of his time celebrated the Lord’s birth on 20 May. Many people identify the Nativity Fast as the period of preparing to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth. In some non-Christian areas, periods of former colonial rule introduced the celebration (e.g. We celebrated Christmas on December 25 th with many of the common western activities and family gatherings. This date works to the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly observed. Christmas is still on December 25 in the Julian calendar so the January 7 date is only valid between 1901 and 2100 The Gregorian date for Orthodox Christmas will be January 8 in 2101 if the Julian calendar is still used. Straw may be placed on these tables to symbolize the simplicity of the place where Jesus was born. I was born and raised in a small village called Rentina in the rugged mountains of central Greece. Watch. For example, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Russian Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas Day on January 7, while the Slow-cooked kidney beans with potatoes, garlic, and seasoning. The January 7 celebration of Christmas Day is not a nationwide public holiday in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom or the United States. The 12 months of the year are linked to the Moon's orbit around Earth. Christmas Day is a public holiday on January 7 in countries such as Belarus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Russia, and Ukraine. Epiphany is celebrated with a wide array of customs around the world. At the end of the 3rd century, many Churches celebrated it in the winter, and this was only accepted in Rome in the middle of the 4th century. If the Church was to celebrate Christmas, they would have to select a date. Many Orthodox Christians in countries such as the United States fast before Christmas Day. Some countries, such as Armenia, observe Christmas Day on January 6. Some Native American tribes named this the Hunger Moon, others called it the Storm Moon. In countries historically shaped by Western Christianity (Roman Catholicism, Protestantism) these customs often involve gift giving, "king cakes" and a celebratory close to the Christmas season. The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th was in 336AD, during the time of the Emperor Constantine (306-337). Orthodox Christmas Day is an Orthodox holiday, celebrated annually on January 7. On December 20th, the Greek Orthodox Church begins the Forefeast of the Nativity, whose liturgical structure is similar to the Holy Week preceding Pascha, for the birth of the Son of God is the beginning of the saving ministry which will lead Him, for the sake of our salvation, to the ultimate sacrifice of the Cross. By the end of the fourth century, most Church jurisdictions all over the known world had agreed to celebrate the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ on 25 December. Saint Nicholas, who is the patron saint of Russia, sailors and children, represents the kind, good, and giving spirit of Christmas. Many Orthodox Christians fast before January 7, usually excluding meat and dairy products. Around the 1920s the Orthodox Churches around the world decided to move from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar, because the Julian Calendar was mathematically flawed and was thirteen days behind. As a result, the Eastern Orthodox Christians were separated from the Western Catholic and Protestant Christians, since the Easterners celebrate Christmas on January 7th, and the Westerners celebrate it on December 25. Little importance is given to gift exchanges and the commercialized Christmas. Some Orthodox countries - including Greece, Cyprus and Romania - adopted a revised Julian calendar in 1923, and now celebrate with us on December 25. What do the month names mean? Candles may be lit to represent the light of Christ and the festive Christmas meal represents the end of fasting. Christmas December 25 Contemplating the Icon of the Nativity Christmas... Xmas Learn about this feast day (in English): Learn about this feast day (in Greek): Related links: Anthony M Coniaris, Daily Meditations and Prayers for Christmas Advent Fast and Epiphany (Orthodox In other cultures these remain up until Candlemas on February 2. You might be a wonder to know when you heard about Christmas on 7 th January. Pages Non-Business Places Religious Place of Worship Church Eastern Orthodox Church St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Videos Thursday December 25, 2020 Christmas Liturgy It is important to remember that in the very first few years of the Church, the only feast days being celebrated were those to do with the death and resurrection of Christ: that is, Pascha. Many Orthodox Christians fast before January 7, usually excluding meat and dairy products. Moreover, in all of the Orthodox countries, there are at least some Catholics and Greek Catholics, so some part of the population might have Christmas at the end of December in their families or communities. Is midnight 12 am or 12 pm? Orthodox Christians in Greece, Cyprus and Romania all celebrate on the 25 December as we do after adopting a revised version of the Julian calendar in 1923. Shows. In some Orthodox Christian cultures, people walk in procession to seas, rivers and lakes as part of the liturgy on the Orthodox Christmas Day. The February Full Moon is named after the snow on the ground. Home. The Orthodox in Jerusalem also celebrate Christmas according to the … While Christmas on January 7 is often called the “Orthodox Christmas,” almost half of the world’s Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25, alongside with most of the world. After the Christmas Eve service in Greece, it is tradition to come home from church to break the fast. Greek Orthodox Christmas Day You must have heard About the greek orthodox Christians who celebrate Christmas on 25 th of December every year. The day is a time of reflection, inner thoughts and healing in many eastern European countries. Another theory is that the 25 December is exactly nine months from the Annunciation by Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Christ. However, as soon as December arrives, festivities begin: homes are decorated, and the smell of Christmas treats is in the air. After a few decades the Church desired to also celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord on 6 January. Some Orthodox Christians observe the Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds (those who visited baby Jesus) on January 6, followed by the Adoration of the Magi (three wise men or kings) on January 7. Many Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth, described in the Christian Bible. The Julian calendar was revised in 1923 and this version is more in line with the Gregorian calendar. Greek Orthodox faithful observe four main fasting periods and many individual fast days according to a calendar based on the date of Pascha ... (Christmas) December 25 * Theotokos: Mary, Mother of God ** Theophany: Epiphany Learn About Greek Orthodox Great Lent Traditions. 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