Christmas for the Orthodox church is different from the more commercialised version. It is more about self-reflection, prayer, and healing than buying presents. It also involves spending time with family. If you are a member of the Orthodox church and you’re wondering about how the holiday is celebrated in your country, read on.
Table of Contents
Christmas is a time to reconnect with family
Christmas is an important time of year for Orthodox Christians. It marks the birth of Christ and is celebrated on January 7 each year. Prior to the Gregorian calendar, Christmas was celebrated 13 days later, on December 25. Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of Christ by going to church and burning frankincense. They also celebrate the birth of their Lord and Savior by giving gifts to family members.
Christmas is a time for the Orthodox church to reconnect with its family. The date of the holiday differs from country to country, but the general concept remains the same. Some celebrate Christmas on or near January 7 using the Julian calendar. A large Christmas dinner typically consists of meat, including goose. Another popular dish is baked goose with apples.
The Orthodox church has been in North America for centuries. The first branches of the church were established in Alaska. The current number of Orthodox adherents is estimated to be 0.4% of the population, according to Alexei Krindatch, a sociologist of religion who studies Eastern Orthodox churches in the U.S. According to Krindatch, there are two main branches of the Orthodox church in the United States. One is Greek Orthodoxy while the other is Oriental Orthodoxy.
During Christmas Eve, people cut a branch from a Christmas tree and bring it into their homes, which symbolizes Christ entering their home. They then greet each other by saying, “Christ is born!” and responding with, “Glorify Him!” This tradition continues throughout the Christmas celebration. The family then returns to church for the Christmas Day service, which includes a sermon.
It is a time to make merry
In the Orthodox Church, Christmas is a time for celebration. The celebration falls on December 25 and differs from the customs of Western Christians. Before Christmas, Orthodox Christians observe an Advent season that lasts from Nov. 15 to Dec. 24. During this time, Orthodox Christians are encouraged to do good deeds and fast.
The Christmas season also marks the birth of Jesus Christ. This season allows us to pause and consider what is important in life. It also serves as a time to thank God for the many blessings we have in our lives. Even if the date of Christmas is different from that of the Gregorian calendar, the holiday spirit is always felt.
The Orthodox Christmas service includes Holy Communion and readings from the Bible. There are also carols and prayers to the Virgin Mary. After the service, families go home to enjoy a festive dinner. Fasting rules are still observed for this meal, and no meat or dairy products are allowed.
In the early Christian Church, Christmas celebrations were a mixture of pagan and Christian traditions. During the Puritan times, the emperor Maximian Hercules tried to suppress the Christians in the city of Nicomedia. This envoy came to Nicomedia on Christmas and offered the congregation a choice. Most of them chose death, but a few were converted and baptized.
It is a time to reflect
For Eastern Orthodox Christians, Christmas is a time of reflection and contemplation. In addition to the traditional Christmas feast, the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates the birth of Jesus as a time of fasting and prayer. The liturgical cycle of Christmas for the Eastern Orthodox Church is rich and diverse, with numerous unique liturgical practices.
Orthodox Christmas services include Holy Communion, readings from the Bible, carols, and the anointing of the faithful with fragrant oil. The service also includes celebrations honoring the Virgin Mary. In addition to the liturgical services, there are special celebrations honoring the Twelve Disciples of Christ.
After the celebration of Christmas, the Orthodox Church commemorates a series of feasts honoring the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Through her incarnation, Mary became the instrument of salvation and a living temple for the Holy Spirit. Those who follow her are called to emulate her role as a living temple of the Holy Spirit.
Some Orthodox Christians also choose to celebrate Easter on the same date as Western Christians. There has been some controversy surrounding the revised date, with some Orthodox Christians believing that it is an attempt to force unification with the Roman Catholic Church. However, this debate has played out in parish halls, on the internet, and in kitchen tables.
