Two holidays like in Moldova, Belarus, Albania . A Night of Faith: Ukrainian Christmas Eve, Carol of the Bells & the fight for national dignity. Why some people celebrate Christmas in January Thanks to a decision made more than 400 years ago, not all Christians observe the holiday on December 25. Some Orthodox communities choose to celebrate Christmas on January 7, like the Latvian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, which starting from the 1920s holds Chrismas celebrations on December 24-25. Wiki User Answered . Celebrating Christmas on January 7 dates back to 1582 when astronomy scientists during the … This is why the Churches who still celebrate on 25 December according to the ancient Julian calendar (such as most of the Byzantine Churches and the non-Chalcedonian churches, except the Armenians) find themselves, in the 21st century, celebrating the Nativity on 7 January of the civil Gregorian new calendar. They vary from place to place, and in many areas have been updated or … Why does Ukraine celebrate Christmas on January 7, not December 25? OPsaltis. I realized they were cuter than me and apologized to everyone at the beginning of my sermon that they they were were going to have to spend the next 35 mins looking at me! Orthodox Christmas Day is a public holiday. Christians in … Their Christmas traditions are unique and can be traced back to ancient times, although, the Ukrainians now, follow their ancestral traditions with a modern outlook. In 2017, one more country was added to the long list that celebrate Christmas Day on December 25th when Ukraine decided to make Catholic Christmas a national holiday in addition to Orthodox Christmas on January 6th, going 2/365th of the way to making it Christmas every day. The day is a time of reflection, inner thoughts and healing in many eastern European countries. Traditional Ukrainian Christmas festivities start on Christmas Eve, which is celebrated on 6 January, as reckoned by the Julian calendar.The Christmas celebrations end on 19 January, the date of Epiphany, or Yordan in Ukrainian, by the Julian calendar.. As of 2017, 25 December, Christmas day by the Gregorian calendar, became an official government holiday in Ukraine. 6.6% of the world’s Christians live by the Julian calendar. In fact, these churches celebrate Christmas on December 25 in accordance with the old Julian calendar. Jan 7, 2019 - Why Do Some Christians Celebrate Christmas on January 7? The 16 Countries Who Believe It Is with regard to Why Does Russia Celebrate Christmas On … It takes into account the inaccuracy of the Julian calendar: the average duration of the year constitutes 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes, and 12 seconds. Starting in 2100, the difference will increase to 14 days, and Russian Christmas will thus be celebrated on January 8th from then onwards, until the next … Our church had two services, one on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas day. Answer. Being a patron means you care about quality independent journalism, believe in an independent and democratic Ukraine, and like to look deep. I just saw the joy on their faces. Each year on January 6 and 7 millions of Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, nearly three weeks after many people in the West have already feasted and begun the New Year. Why not on December 25th? Well, the reason is that the Russian Orthodox Church still lives according to the old Julian Calendar, which is currently 13 days behind the Gregorian Calendar, which is adopted by most … The Lord’s Supper | What Is It and Why We Do It, 6 Reasons for Lack of Faithfulness in Ministry, Our Son Left Us and This Is How We Dealt With It. The day is a time of reflection, inner thoughts and healing in many eastern European countries. Do They Know It's Christmas? They vary from place to place, and in many areas have been updated or watered down to suit modern living. For the 300 million Orthodox Christians around the globe, however, January 7th is Christmas day. Why does the Russian Othordox Church celebrate Christmas on January the 7th? 2 Minute Read You probably wonder why do Russians Orthodox people celebrate Christmas on January 7th? here is an explanation! But whether Christmas is celebrated on December 25th or on January 7th … Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated January 7 according to the Gregorian calendar as in most of other Orthodox Christian countries. However, parts of the Orthodox Church never made the switch, and still live by the older Julian calendar. Last year, a draft bill on making 25 December a state holiday alongside 7 January had been registered in parliament, and now came the vote. The myth of “historically Russian Crimea”: colonialism, deconstructed, Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire is a warning to Russia’s neighbors, ECtHR rules Yanukovych government responsible for crimes against Euromaidan, death of one protester, How Ukraine is healing the traumatic wounds of colonialism, Vacancy: We’re looking for a human rights reporter, care about quality independent journalism, believe in an independent and democratic Ukraine. And you can also vote for future articles, suggest topics, and keep in touch with the team. I love the Eastern Orthodox Churches and I just want to know! According to the Pope’s innovation, 15 October came right after 4 October in 1582 in order to correct the Julian calendar’s error. Due to a difference in calendars, Jan. 6 marks Christmas Eve for many Orthodox churches and Christmas will be celebrated on Saturday. It’s the traditional Christmas meal. The traditional Christmas customs of Ukraine add color and significance to the winter festival of Christmas, and Ukrainian Christmas on January 7th is usually a peaceful and quiet event. Foods may include: 1. Not one word. This day is a public holiday in Russia and Ukraine. When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. Blog posts represent my personal opinion (Caleb Suko) and do not necessarily represent the opinions or beliefs of any other person or organization. The Christmas dates around January 7 may vary among some churches. 2. On Christmas Eve, 6 January, there are several long services, including the Royal Hours and Vespers combined with the Divine Liturgy. The traditional supper on Christmas Eve is the cornerstone of a Ukrainian Christmas. Relevance. The Julian calendar was introduced in 46 BC by Julius Caesar, hence its name. And you can see some of the children’s performances below! This is why the Churches who still celebrate on 25 December according to the ancient Julian calendar (such as most of the Byzantine Churches and the non-Chalcedonian churches, except the Armenians) find themselves, in the 21st century, celebrating the Nativity on 7 January of the civil Gregorian new calendar. Many Orthodox Christians fast before January … 1 … ... It’s very nice to celebrate Christmas in Ukraine. Christmas in Moldova is the last holiday in the cycle of New Year holidays that starts on the 31st of December and ends on January 7th. 4 5 6. Russia was an absolute monarchy with Russian Orthodox Christian church being the only state religion administrated by a government department called Synod since Peter the … Wondering why Ukraine celebrates Christmas on 7th of January? A visual example of the official date change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian. The Gregorian calendar was introduced on 4 October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. I don’t have clue what you’re saying, but I’m impressed! Christmas is Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. of the Euromaidan Press community: Make a monthly donation Lessons from the history of the Ukrainian National Republic, All you wanted to know about Ukraine in one book and on one YouTube channel, A Ukrainian composer’s gift to the world of Christmas music, Ukraine gets two Christmases – December 25 and January 7, Celebrating Vodokhreshchа (Epiphany), the last of the Ukrainian Christmas and New Year cycle, Catholic priest reconstructs Ukraine’s prehistoric Christmas traditions, Forty eight hours of hell near Svitlodarsk, No Ukrainian should have a Soviet-style New Year’s tree, How the Soviets stole Ukrainian Christmas, “Neo-liberalism”: the Kremlin’s new favorite strawman. Orthodox Christmas 7 January. 4 5 6. Any tips? However, there is a 13-day difference between the new Gregorian calendar and the … Ukraine is one of the countries of the dominant Orthodox Christianity where the secular calendar is the same as the Gregorian, but whose church still uses the old, or the Julian Calendar. Image: wikipedia. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. At the same time, adepts of change stress that it makes sense for all Christians to celebrate Christmas at the same date and that it makes no sense to hold on to an astronomically outdated calendar. Favourite answer. Ukraine could continue living by two calendars at the same time. We have learnt today with children Carol ... from my childhood “Dobryj Vechir Tobi” And now we will make varenyky with potato filling and pelmeni with spicy meat with Georgian twist. 1 0. For most of America, Christmas was over nearly two weeks ago. | Gospel Basics Sermon Series #6, 11 Quotes from J.C. Ryle That Will Stop You in Your Tracks, The Best/Worst Sermon Ever Preached at Steven Furtick's Elevation Church. The holiday is still celebrated on January 14, in memory of the switch Ukraine made in 1918 to the Gregorian calendar, when 14 astronomically redundant days were annulated. For the 300 million Orthodox Christians around the globe, however, January 7th is Christmas day. This day is a public holiday in Russia and Ukraine. While many celebrate Christmas on December 25, some Orthodox Christians mark it on January 7. As a rule, society first celebrates both dates and then the new tradition replaces the old one. It celebrtates Christmas on December 25 but the calendar it uses is 13 days late. But people did not forget their traditions. 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