His birth date is unknown because there is little information about his early life. White cloth is used on dinner tables in some countries to symbolize purity and the cloth that baby Jesus was wrapped in. Saint Nicholas, who is the patron saint of Russia, sailors and children, represents the kind, good, and giving spirit of Christmas. Foods may include: 1. The February Full Moon is named after the snow on the ground. In some parts of Christendom the feast of Christmas was celebrated on 6 December, while in other parts it stayed on 6 January. Countries such as Japan, where Christmas is popular despite there being only a small number of Christians, have a… That explains the existence … From now on, most of the liturgical hymns in Greek Orthodox … Slow-cooked kidney beans with potatoes, garlic, and seasoning. In countries historically shaped by Western Christianity (Roman Catholicism, Protestantism) these customs often involve gift giving, "king cakes" and a celebratory close to the Christmas season. Like most Greeks, I was raised in the Orthodox Church. This means that churches still on the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on 6 January and they celebrate Epiphany on 19 January, Source: Lychnos December 2016 / January 2017, © 2020 Greek Orthodox Christian Society | Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia |. Christmas on January 7 is also known as Old Christmas Day. If the Church was to celebrate Christmas, they would have to select a date. © Time and Date AS 1995–2021. Many Orthodox Christians fast before January 7, usually excluding meat and dairy products. The type of food and activity may vary depending on the country’s culture and traditions. The earliest known indication of a celebration of Christmas comes in a passing statement by St Clement of Alexandria who mentions that the Egyptians of his time celebrated the Lord’s birth on 20 May. Shellfish may be allowed even on days that exempt fish except for these. Hong Kong); in others, Christian minorities or foreign cultural influences have led populations to observe the holiday. Christmas January 7 is also known as the Old Christmas. You might be a wonder to know when you heard about Christmas on 7 th January. They make holes in the ice to bless the water if it is frozen. Eventually the majority of Christian bishops agreed to celebrate on 25 December. So, it was a time when people already celebrated things and it was good to give a Christian focus in that period of the year. The Greek orthadox Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December. No fish may be consumed from December 20-24, and hymns are sung during this time. Herod, who was a king of Judaea, died in 4 BCE. The Christmas dates around January 7 may vary among some churches. Greek Orthodox Christmas Day You must have heard About the greek orthodox Christians who celebrate Christmas on 25 th of December every year. December 25 in the Gregorian calendar is a bank holiday, … Following the Gregorian calendar, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December. These commemorations were each given different dates and you can be sure there was a lot of debate about the dates. I was born and raised in a small village called Rentina in the rugged mountains of central Greece. let us see where Christ was born! Privacy & Terms. Orthodox Christians in central and eastern Europe and other parts of the world celebrate Christmas on January 7. Eleven days were dropped to make up for the calendar discrepancy that accumulated with Julian calendar when England and Scotland switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in 1752. ... Herod, the king of Judea, died in 4 BC. However, as soon as December arrives, festivities begin: homes are decorated, and the smell of Christmas treats is in the air. The January 7 celebration of Christmas Day is not a nationwide public holiday in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom or the United States. Some Orthodox countries - including Greece, Cyprus and Romania - adopted a revised Julian calendar in 1923, and now celebrate with us on December 25. At the end of the 3rd century, many Churches celebrated it in the winter, and this was only accepted in Rome in the middle of the 4th century. Fish, wine and oil are allowed on November 16, November 30, December 4, 6, 12, and 20. As a result, the Eastern Orthodox Christians were separated from the Western Catholic and Protestant Christians, since the Easterners celebrate Christmas on January 7th, and the Westerners celebrate it on December 25. December 25th might have also been chosen because the Winter Solstice and the ancient pagan Roman midwinter festivals called ‘Saturnalia’ and ‘Dies Natalis Solis Invicti’ took place in December around this date. It was also the time of the Jewish festival of lights called Hanukkah. Cite this Article Format. Christmas is still on December 25 in the Julian calendar so the January 7 date is only valid between 1901 and 2100 The Gregorian date for Orthodox Christmas will be January 8 in 2101 if the Julian calendar is still used. Home. Christmas is still on December 25 in the Julian calendar so the January 7 date is only valid between 1901 and 2100 The Gregorian date for Orthodox Christmas will be January 8 in 2101 if the Julian calendar is still used. Wrapped in cultures, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December vegetables and herbs such as the of..., including many whose populations are mostly non-Christian days that exempt fish except for these how... 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