Orthodox Christmas: a festival full of traditions and differences!

Orthodox Christians around the world do not celebrate Christmas in December, as the majority of Western society does, but 13 days later, on January 6th and 7th. This phenomenon is due to the use of the Julian calendar, which goes back to Julius Caesar and historically remained anchored in parts of the Orthodox Church. While Catholic and Protestant believers celebrate their festivities on December 24th and 25th, many Orthodox churches, such as the Russian Orthodox and Serbian Orthodox, are still based on the old calendar. In Ukraine there was also a division of the Orthodox community in the course of the conflict with Russia, which led to some municipalities also celebrating on December 25th, as kosmo.at Historically, the Julian calendar was used by all churches until the 16th century, but due to its inaccuracies in 1582 there was the introduction of the Gregorian calendar. However, the Russian Orthodox Church waived the reform and held on to its traditions, not least because religious practices were largely prohibited after the 1917 October Revolution. Christmas was abolished by the Bolsheviks as a religious holiday; Many customs were laid on New Year's Eve. Only with the decay of the Soviet Union could the faithful celebrate their Christmas again on January 6th, such as Br.de further reported.

festivities and customs

Preparations for Christmas in Russia comprise a 40-day Lent, during which animal products and certain dishes are largely avoided. On January 6th there is a special tradition to commit the "Sochelnik", Christmas Eve, on which it is fasted until the first star is seen. After dark, the faithful gather for a Christmas service and ring the festival with lighting a candle. Traditionally, “Kutja”, a sweet porridge from different ingredients, is traditionally served to symbolize immortality. On January 7th it is common to visit family and friends and exchange gifts - a custom that is still very interwoven with the heir of the communist New Year's celebrations.