As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

• As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Christmas is one of the most important Christian holidays. January 7th, millions of Orthodox Christians throughout the world celebrate Christmas.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Christmas Eve in Cairo. Egypt - mostly Muslim country, but thousands of local Christians flocked to the church on the night before Christmas.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

The Coptic Patriarch Theodore II, chapter most numerous Christian churches in the Arab world. St. Mark's Cathedral in Cairo, Egypt.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. However, the meeting of Christmas for Orthodox Christians is happening on the "old style" - on 7 January.

Why Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 and Catholics December 25?

In 1582, the Western Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar. New calendar ( "new style") began to use Western Europeans, while the Julian calendar continued to operate in Russia. In 1918, the Gregorian calendar was introduced in Russia, but the Orthodox Church does not recognize this, and continued to use the Julian calendar ( "old style").

These days, the Julian calendar is behind the Gregorian by 13 days. Therefore, Catholics and other churches who live in the Gregorian calendar, celebrate Christmas on the night of December 24 to 25, and the Orthodox Church - on the night of 6 January 7, which corresponds to the 24-25 December according to the Julian calendar. The difference between the two styles is increased by 1 day every 100 years. Christmas in Ukraine. Cooking festive Christmas dinner for the protesters on Independence Square in Kiev.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Kosovo. The main attribute of the Serbian Christmas - oak branches. On Christmas Eve, they burn. This - a symbol of warmth, which God gives to people that they have warmed their souls.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

The burning of oak branches on Christmas Eve in Belgrade.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Herman, Metropolitan of Volgograd and Kamyshin arrived in the Kazan Cathedral in Volgograd, Russia.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Christmas in Volgograd.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Christmas in Bethlehem. The members of the Orthodox clergy expected the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III. Bethlehem - a holy city for Christians, the second in importance after Jerusalem.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Each country has its own Christmas traditions. Annual jumps on Christmas Eve, held in the Romanian villages.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Christmas in Romania.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Their goal - to find the first wooden cross thrown by a priest into the water. Sofia, Bulgaria.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

First! Kalofer, Bulgaria.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Christmas in Bulgaria.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Christmas swim in Istanbul.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Orthodox Christmas in Italy. Vatican.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Vatican.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

Christmas in Kazan.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

November 7, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his wife arrived at the Temple of Christ the Savior on the Patriarchal Christmas service.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas

The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill conducts Christmas service in the church of Christ the Savior in Moscow.

As Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas