Orthodox Christmas Day

Orthodox Christmas Day Quick Facts - UA

AKA Name	Nativity of Our Lord, The Incarnation of Christ, Різдво Христове
ℹ HashtagsCompiled on05:10	#OrthodoxChristmas
Related Hashtags	#Ukraine, #Christmas, #UkraineRussianWar, #Putin, #Russia, #UkraineRussiaWar
2023 Date	7 January 2023
2024 Date	7 January 2024

2023 Holidays & Dates

		Ukraine & Common Holidays
		Misc. & Int'l. Observances

Orthodox Christmas in 2023

Saturday, 7 Jan

Days to go:

Orthodox Christmas History

Orthodox Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. For Christians, it is a is a 12-day season that begins on December 25th and ends on January 5th. The Nativity of Our Lord is one of the 12 Great Feasts in the Orthodox Church. It is sometimes also called The Incarnation of Christ to indicate that God became man in Christ to live in the world.

Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar which places the day on January 7. The majority of Christians follow the modern day Gregorian Calendar which places Christmas on December 25.

Top Tweets for Orthodox Christmas Day -

Updated 05:09

Kherson. Orthodox Christmas. Killed rescuer. Russia shelled the second fire station in two days. It’s them talking about Christmas truce. We are fighting with terrorists. https://t.co/VtSeHt4e8A
— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) January 6, 2023

Today for the first time in 338 years an Orthodox Christmas service was held in Ukrainian in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (built in 1051) after Moscow Patriarchate Church rent agreement was voided. Historic and incredibly symbolic day for Ukraine as we are getting rid of Russian influence https://t.co/otpYX9rID3
— Bogdan Polovko 🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@BogdanPolovko) January 7, 2023

🇺🇦Most of Ukraine is Orthodox and used to celebrate Christmas on Jan 7th. But we had a survey and 60% are celebrating on the 25th. After all, the 7th is the ru way, and we're not exactly keen on their ways anymore🤷‍♀️ Good night everyone. Here is song called Bountiful Evening💝 https://t.co/tcIcJC7cwB
— Sofia Ukraini (@SlavaUk30722777) December 25, 2022

Orthodox Christmas Day Facts

In the Orthodox tradition, a 40-day period called the Nativity Fast occurs before Christmas. Fasting is a faithful abstain from foods, especially those derived from animals, and wine.
In the old days, Sundays honored the old covenant between God and Abraham and now - the new covenant between God and those who believe in Christ.
The Orthodox tradition uses icons - paintings of saints, to help people to pray. The main icon for Christmas features scenes from the birth of Christ.
The giving of gifts started as a Roman tradition. Although the early church fathers condemned the practice, it continues to this day.
Several feasts are held during the Orthodox Christmas season, including feasts for Mary, Joseph, the first-born children slain by Caesar, and Jesus' circumcision.

In the News and Trending for Orthodox Christmas Day

Updated 05:09 Russia's Putin ordered a temporary cease-fire in Ukraine during Orthodox Christmas

npr.org

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill proposes ‘Christmas truce,’ Ukraine reacts / The New Voice of Ukraine

nv.ua

New mass Russian attack possible on Eastern Orthodox Christmas holiday, air force warns

nv.ua

Putin orders temporary ceasefire in Ukraine in observation of Orthodox Christmas

foxnews.com

Orthodox Christmas Top Events and Things to Do

Attend an Orthodox Christmas service. Orthodox Christianity is popular in Greek and Slavic-language communities, including Bulgarian, Russian, Serbian, Macedonian communities.
Go on a fast or diet leading up to Orthodox Christmas. Try eliminating meat and animal foods from your diet.
Go for dinner at the Russian or Greek Restaurant. Many will serve specials to commemorate this holiday.