Eastern Orthodox Christmas

Eastern Orthodox Christmas

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Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant Christians celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth on December 25. Still, the Eastern Orthodox use the Julian Calendar, and the Western churches use the Gregorian Calendar. Because of the thirteen-day difference between the two calendars, the Eastern Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7 in the Gregorian (Western) calendar.

Although Jesus Christ’s exact date of birth is unknown, it is documented in the Christian Scriptures (the Bible), Matthew chapters 1-2, and Luke chapters 1-2, that it occurred in the late 1st century B.C. in Bethlehem. Christians believe the conception and birth of Jesus are how the Son of God became a human.

Common Practices

Food is central to Orthodox Christmas, especially the tradition of breaking fast, where a midnight feast follows Christmas mass on January 6. The traditional feast has many dishes, usually consisting of lamb shanks and fattah, a rice and bread dish steeped with lamb stock, intensely acidic and garlicky. Additionally, observers attend church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas is not about presents; it is a time to heal the soul, a time of peace, joy, and unity. Many fast for 40 days before Christmas Day to prepare to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth.

Community Considerations

Christian Orthodox observers may request the day off.