Few Westerners know that Russia, Ukraine, Byelorussia, and the rest of the Eastern Christian world celebrates Christmas on the 7th of January and not on the 25th of December like Catholics. Many Westerners are surprised when they hear that Ukrainians and Russians have their Christmas at the end of the first week of January. However, the history of these calendar and religious differences goes back into the centuries, and Glass Replacement Queen Creek wants to shed light on the existing disparities between the Catholics and the Orthodox.
Russians and Ukrainians have their Christmas celebrated in the best traditions of Orthodox Christianity. Based on the old Julian calendar, Christmas always happens on the 7th of January, the day of solemnity and celebration for the entire Orthodox community. After 1917 and the October Revolution Christmas, as well as all other religious holidays, was officially banned. Churches were being destroyed, and religion was called “the opium for the masses”. 75 years passed, until in 1992 Christmas restored its status and became one of the biggest religious holidays in the Orthodox landscape. Today millions of Russians and Ukrainians come to church on the eve of the Christmas to stand the all-night Mass and express their religious gratitude.
The main traditions of Orthodox Christmas differ greatly from the Christmas traditions pursued by Catholics. Glass Replacement Queen Creek knows that Christmas in Russia and Ukraine marks the end to the long religious fast, which lasts until the 6th of Jan, when the first star appears in the sky. As always, Christmas is a family holiday, and the dinner following the church mass should be shared with all family members. This is why on this day children visit their parents or other relatives to celebrate their unity, peace, and happiness. The so-called Holy Supper follows the traditions of Christianity, with no single piece of meat but with grains, honey and garlic; the latter reminds Orthodox Christians of the bitterness of life. Despite these differences, Christmas remains one of the most important religious points in the lives of every Christian.
