The Orthodox World is Celebrating Christmas – by Natalia Dagenhart

While Catholic and many other churches in the world have celebrated Christmas already in December, the Orthodox churches all around the world are celebrating Christmas on the 7th of January in the Gregorian calendar. On the 6th of January, the Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve, when many Orthodox churches have a special liturgy that often times starts late at night, at about 11 o’clock. Although in the United States Orthodox Christmas is not a national holiday, there are many Orthodox churches here that celebrate it and follow all the rituals and traditions associated with it.

In Russia, the 7th of January is a national holiday, and many Russian Orthodox Christians are happy that in modern Russia they can celebrate it openly and can attend beautiful Christmas services in the numerous Russian Orthodox churches. There are many different religions in the Russian Federation, but historically Orthodox religion was the main religion in Russia. The Russian Orthodox Church is more than 1000 years old, and seventy years of the Soviet period didn’t break people’s belief and faith, because this faith is in the blood of Russian people. Even those who didn’t be believe in God during the Soviet times, inside of their hearts always felt that there is a power that saves us, helps us, punishes us, supports us and is much stronger than us. And during difficult times, we always ask this power to help us. In other words, we pray to God.

Orthodox Christmas services are always very spectacular, lengthy and full of very deep and meaningful rituals. A great number of the Russian Orthodox Christians attend these services and celebrate the Birth of Christ. The believers stand during the whole service. Women are supposed to cover their heads with headscarves. Many people remember the words of the prayers and religious songs and pronounce them along with the priests. This is a very touching and important service for the Orthodox Christians, and usually they leave the Christmas service with a healed soul full of peace and unity.

Natalia Dagenhart