Celebrating Orthodox Christian Christmas

Orthodox Christian Christmas is celebrated on the 6th - 7th January. While much of the Christian world celebrates on the 25th December, Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar which accounts for this difference.

This ancient tradition is upheld by Orthodox Christian communities around the world, including those in Greece, Serbia, Egypt, Armenia, Ethiopia, Russia, Ukraine and India to name a few.

History & Significance

Orthodox Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ, a time of deep spiritual reflection and joy. It is a day of worship, where the faithful gather in churches for the Divine Liturgy, a solemn service that often includes chanting, prayers, and Holy Communion. Many Orthodox Christians observe a period of Advent leading up to Christmas, during which they fast in preparation for the feast.

Traditions & Rituals

Each community has its own unique traditions, but some common rituals include:

• Christmas Eve (January 6th): A day of fasting until the evening, which culminates in a festive meal. In many cultures, the meal includes 12 traditional dishes to represent the 12 Apostles.

• The Holy Supper: This special meal often features foods like prosphora (bread), borscht, pierogi, and fish. In some countries, families prepare an empty seat for the Christ Child, symbolizing his spiritual presence.

• Church Services: Orthodox churches are often decorated with icons and candles. After the Divine Liturgy, some communities have processions, including the Great Blessing of the Waters, especially in countries like Greece and Russia.

• Gift Giving: Although not as widespread as in the Western tradition, Orthodox Christians do exchange gifts, often as a symbol of love and God’s blessings.
• Family & Community: The holiday emphasizes family unity and community gatherings, with extended family coming together to celebrate, sing carols (known as kalanda), and share meals and joy.

Orthodox Christian Christmas is a beautiful and deeply meaningful time of year, filled with faith, love, and rich traditions that have stood the test of time.

Orthodox Christian Christmas is a beautiful and deeply meaningful time of year, filled with faith, love, and rich traditions that have stood the test of time.

This can look different for each family and community. We spoke to Karim an SMCT employee, to share his experience with Orthodox Christmas as someone with a Coptic background.

Similar to the tradition shared above, Karim spends the lead up to Orthodox Christmas observing Lent and building anticipation for the holiday. On the day of Christmas, Karim spends precious time with his family where they engage in gift giving, midnight mass and dontating through the church.

One of Karim's favourite dishes to have on Christmas Day is Molokheya 'ملوخية'.