RELIGION Orthodox Christmas: Why it’s celebrated by some believers 13 days after Dec. 25 FILE - Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, center, delivers the Christmas service in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. BY PETER SMITH Updated 1:02 AM EST, January 6, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/orthodox-christmas-holidays-calendar-russia-4d7565257a2f65445607a1fa1d14d8b3
Enable accessibility
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT, FACT-BASED JOURNALISM.
DONATE
Menu
AP Logo
Show Search
Israel-Hamas war
Alaska Airlines emergency landing
Capitol Riot anniversary
Steelers beat Ravens
Golden Globes
RELIGION
Orthodox Christmas: Why it’s celebrated by some believers 13 days after Dec. 25
FILE - Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, center, delivers the Christmas service in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. While much of the world has Christmas in the rearview mirror by now, people in some Eastern Orthodox traditions will celebrating the holy day on Sunday. Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool, File)
FILE - Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, center, delivers the Christmas service in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. While much of the world has Christmas in the rearview mirror by now, people in some Eastern Orthodox traditions will celebrating the holy day on Sunday. Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool, File)
BY PETER SMITH
Updated 1:02 AM EST, January 6, 2024
Share
While much of the world has Christmas in the rearview mirror by now, people in some Eastern Orthodox traditions will celebrate the holy day on Sunday.
Certain Eastern Orthodox churches, including those in Russian and other traditions, follow the ancient Julian calendar, which runs 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar, used by Catholic and Protestant churches as well as by much of the secular world for everyday use.
Other Orthodox, including those in the Greek tradition and, now, some Ukrainian churches, celebrate Christmas on the same date as Western churches.
ADVERTISEMENT
Why are there different dates for Christmas?
OTHER NEWS
Metropolitan Epiphanius, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, blesses water during a traditional Epiphany celebration in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Water that is blessed by a cleric on Epiphany is considered holy and pure until next year's celebration, and is believed to have special powers of protection and healing. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Orthodox mark Christmas, but the celebration is overshadowed for many by conflict
The old St. Nicholas Church stands in Eklutna, Alaska, on Oct. 12, 2023. A three-year restoration effort began Oct. 13, with the removal of the bell tower. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Anchorage’s oldest building, a Russian Orthodox church, gets new life in restoration project
Technically, there aren’t. All Eastern Orthodox agree that Dec. 25 is the date of Christmas, or the Feast of the Nativity, as they call it. The question is whether Dec. 25 falls on Dec. 25 or Jan. 7. That requires a little unpacking.
The ancient church set its religious feasts based on the Julian calendar, but after more than a millennium, that calendar had increasingly gotten out of alignment with the solar year. Sixteenth century Pope Gregory XIII approved a revised, more astronomically precise calendar, which bears his name. It abruptly shifted the calendar several days forward to make up for lost time (literally) and added a more precise calculation of leap years. Protestant churches eventually followed the Catholic lead in adopting the calendar, as did secular governments.
All Eastern Orthodox kept to the old calendar until 1923, when an inter-Orthodox gathering adopted a revised Julian calendar that essentially mirrors the Gregorian. Most (but not all) churches in the Greek Orthodox tradition have adopted this, as have those in Romanian, Bulgarian and other traditions.
But the Russian Orthodox Church, the largest communion in Eastern Orthodoxy, has stayed on the old calendar, observing Christmas on Jan. 7 on the new calendar, as have Serbian, Georgian and some other Orthodox.
ADVERTISEMENT
Complications in Ukraine
In Ukraine, which traditionally has observed Christmas on Jan. 7, the matter has taken on political dimensions in a time of war and schism. The government of Ukraine declared Dec. 25 to be Christmas in an assertion of national identity and cultural independence from Russia and its associations with the later date. The newer Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which received recognition from the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in 2019, observed Christmas on Dec. 25. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church — which claims independence but has historic ties to Moscow and faces an effective ban in pending legislation — is observing Christmas on Jan. 7.
What about North America?
In the United States, observances vary — even within traditions. Churches in the Greek and Antiochian traditions, along with the Orthodox Church in America, observed Christmas on Dec. 25. Some churches in the Slavic tradition, including Serbian and smaller Russian churches, will observe it Jan. 7.
In the small American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America — with roots in present-day Ukraine and Slovakia — parishes can choose their date. About a third are on the new calendar.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I have the difficulty or excitement of celebrating twice,” said its leader, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa, based in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Some parishes are observing Theophany (Epiphany) on Saturday, marking Jesus’ baptism, while others will be celebrating his birth the following day.
How do Eastern Orthodox observe Christmas?
Traditions vary, but typically the big worship service is the night before — this year on Saturday night. In Serbian Orthodox churches, worship often begins with a short outdoor ceremony involving the burning of an oak branch or young oak tree, accompanied by a full-throated proclamation of the birth of Christ.
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
by Taboola
Suggested For You
What is the Epiphany? Why is it also called Three Kings Day? And when do Christians celebrate it?
Disney+
Disney Bundle
Florida’s Greek community celebrates the Epiphany with annual dive into water to retrieve cross
Shia LaBeouf converts to Catholicism after being confirmed at New Year’s Eve Mass
King’s daughter says wars, gun violence, racism have pushed humanity to the brink
PAID FOR BY CARGILL
How innovative financing solutions are helping to build a more sustainable food system
From financing cage-free conversions to bio-based packaging and water-saving technologies, learn how Cargill is helping partners achieve greater sustainability.
Cargill logo
Church says priest who married teen has been defrocked
A Catholic priest who married a teenager after leaving the country with her this summer has been removed from the priesthood.
AP News
Over 100 evacuate Russia’s Belgorod while soldiers celebrate Orthodox Christmas on the front line
More than 100 residents of the Russian border city of Belgorod have evacuated to an area further from the Ukrainian border, local officials said.
AP News
Tinnitus Discovery Leaves Doctors Speechless (Try Tonight)
Advertisement: WellnessGuide
Bone On Bone? This ''bionic'' Knee Sleeve Will Transform Your Knees Back 17 Years
Advertisement: Fitnus Sleeve
1 Odd Trick Restores Your Eyes To Perfect 20/20 Vision
Advertisement: LifeTipsJournal
People Born 1941-1971 Are Due a Large Surprise
Advertisement: TheWalletGuru
Find the Right Home for the Whole Family
Advertisement: Homes.com
Top high-yield savings accounts are now beating inflation. Here’s why that’s important
Advertisement: Bankrate
A Hassle-Free Home Search
Discover everything you need to know about a neighborhood before you move. Get info on home valuation trends, transit options and local events.
Advertisement: Homes.com
How To Renew A Certificate Of Deposit (CD)
Advertisement: Bankrate
Worried about high winter gas bills? Lock in a low rate.
Advertisement: Georgia Natural Gas
Maximize Your Lunch Break
Advertisement: Eating Well
Hidden Risks of Debt Relief: What You Need to Know
Advertisement: DebtReliefRooster.com
Brazilian politician’s move to investigate a priest sparks outpouring of support for the clergyman
A right-wing Brazilian politician’s push to have the city of Sao Paulo investigate a city priest has prompted a strong defense from Roman Catholic leaders and government officials.
AP News
Top White House budget official warns of ‘dire’ situation on Ukraine aid
President Joe Biden’s top budget official is warning in stark terms about how lawmakers are running out of time to approve new aid for Ukraine.
AP News
Take the chill out of your bill with this natural gas plan.
Advertisement: Georgia Natural Gas
The End of the Rate Hike Cycle: Stocks, Bonds, USD
Advertisement: FOREX.com
Enjoy 25% Savings Sitewide
Advertisement: couponofferstoday
Russia and Ukraine exchange long-range attacks as their front-line forces remain bogged down
Russia’s Defense Ministry says air defenses shot down 10 Ukrainian air-launched missiles over the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula and 10 over the Russian city of Belgorod.
AP News
Bulgarians celebrate the feast of Epiphany with traditional rituals
Thousands of Orthodox Christian worshippers have plunged into the wintry waters of rivers and lakes across Bulgaria to retrieve crucifixes cast by priests in Epiphany ceremonies commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ.
AP News
I Always Got Sick Whenever My Mom-In-Law Cooks - One Day, I Swapped Plates With Husband
Advertisement: Articlesmansion
Banned For 84 Years; Powerful Pain Reliever Legalized In Georgia
Advertisement: Health Life Talk
Unbox Comfort: AshleyFurniture's Exclusive Deals Await
Advertisement: CouponWallet
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
AP.ORG
CAREERS
ADVERTISE WITH US
CONTACT US
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
TERMS OF USE
PRIVACY POLICY
MORE FROM AP NEWS
ABOUT
AP NEWS VALUES AND PRINCIPLES
AP’S ROLE IN ELECTIONS
AP LEADS
AP DEFINITIVE SOURCE BLOG
AP IMAGES SPOTLIGHT BLOG
AP STYLEBOOK
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Comments
Post a Comment