answersLogoWhite

0

Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate the Nativity of Christ with a 40-day period of abstinence and fasting (called the 'Nativity Fast' or 'Christmas Lent'), marked by an increase in prayer, meditation, and alms-giving. In addition, Eastern Orthodox Christians, depending on their ethnic background, will celebrate the two Sundays before Christmas with customs particular to their ancestry. The culmination of the 40 day Fast is, of course, the Feast of the Nativity itself, highlighted by the special services of the Royal Hours, the Festal Vigil on the eve of the Feast, and the celebration of the Eucharist at the Festal Divine Liturgy on Christmas Day (technically referred to as "The Feast of the Nativity in the flesh of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"). A common custom is the singing of Christmas Hymns or carols to the shut-ins or the sick in the parish during the 12 days after Christmas - which culminates int he "Feast of Light" - Theophany of the Lord - the day the Holy Trinity is revealed to the world. As is customary , these holidays are marked with specially baked delicacies and foods! The greeting that is used by all Eastern Orthodox Christians during the twelve days of Christmas is "Christ is Born" And the response is, "Indeed He is Born! or Glorify Him!" Submitted by Very Rev. Stephen G. Rocknage, Pastor St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church - McKeesport, Pa.

User Avatar

Wiki User

17y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Why does the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas on December 25 instead of Jan 7 like most other Christian Orthodox churches?

Because the Romanian Orthodox Church adopted the new (Gregorian) calendar in 1924, along with the Greek Orthodox Church. The largest Orthodox church (the Russian Orthodox) continued to use the old (Julian) calendar, along with the Serbian Orthodox, to celebrate Christmas on 7 January each year.


When does celebrate Christmas in Russia?

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates on the Julian calendar - which is 13 days different than the Gregorian, or secular calendar. Christmas is celebrated by Russian Orthodox on December 25th on the Julian Calendar, or January 7th on the secular calendar.


Where can one find information on Christmas that the Orthodox Church celebrates?

You can find information on Christmas that the Orthodox Church celebrates by looking up the name of your local Orthodox Church's website and they will tell you how they celebrate it or simply asking a member of the church.


Are there women priests in the Russian orthodox church?

The Russian Orthodox Church does not ordain priests.


The Russian church name?

Russian Orthodox Church


When does Russian Orthodox church celebrate Christmas?

The 12 main Feast Days: Easter, Christmas, Theophany, Transfiguration, Pentecost, Ascension, Dormition, Annunciation, Meeting of our Lord in the Temple, Presentation to the Temple, Elevation of the Cross, Birth of Theotokos.


On what day this year did the Armenian Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas?

Q:"http://wiki.answers.com/Q/On_what_day_this_year_did_the_Armenian_Orthodox_Church_celebrate_Christmas"


When was Russian Orthodox Church in America created?

Russian Orthodox Church in America was created in 1927.


Who is the leader of the Russian orthodox church?

The current leader of the Russian Orthodox Church is Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow.


When do Russians celebrate Christmas?

You probably wonder why do Russians Orthodox people celebrate Christmas on January 7th? 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 countries in the world (and by the Russian government). When in the end of 1917 the Bolshevik government decided to adopt Gregorian calendar, the Russian Orthodox church decided not to follow the rules set by the incresingly oppresive civil authorities. Part of the reason was to protest against the Bolsheviks and their interference in church affairs. Another reason, perhaps, was to stick to the older rules, the ways in which generations of Russian Christians were praising the Lord, observing holidays, etc.


What kind of orthodox church is in Romania Greek or Russian?

The Romanian Orthodox Church mainly follows the liturgical practice of the Greek Orthodox Church, rather than the Russian Orthodox Church, such as the use of the new calendar.


Why do they celebrate the Russian Christmas?

Take it from me a Russian we celebrate something like Christmas but its called novi gote we celebrate the New Year and we have a Geda Maros insted of santa and we do give each other presents but we tend to celebrate togetherness by dancing singing eating and much much more thing but if your question is '' do Russians celebrate Christmas'' my answer is ''something like that'' -Milana Hope I helped