Orthodox Christmas celebrated by millions on Jan. 7

Millions of people marked Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7 as churches that follow the Julian calendar observed the Feast of the Nativity, while other Orthodox traditions celebrate on Dec. 25 or, in the Armenian tradition, on Jan. 6.

Millions of people around the world celebrated Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7. The date reflects the continued use of the older Julian calendar by some Eastern Orthodox churches, which runs 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used by most Western churches and secular institutions. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church and some other Oriental Orthodox churches also observed Christmas on Jan. 7. Other Orthodox churches, including many in the Greek tradition, celebrate the Nativity on Dec. 25, and the Armenian Orthodox observe Christmas on Jan. 6. Key points: - Millions observed Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7, reflecting the Julian calendar used by several Orthodox communions. - The Julian calendar currently lags the Gregorian calendar by 13 days, which is why Dec. 25 on the Julian calendar falls on Jan. 7 on the Gregorian calendar. - Churches that retain the Julian calendar include the Russian Orthodox Church and others in the Slavic and some Georgian traditions; many Greek, Romanian and Bulgarian churches follow a revised calendar aligned with Dec. 25. - The Ethiopian Orthodox Church and some Oriental Orthodox communities also celebrated on Jan. 7, while the Armenian Orthodox tradition marks Christmas on Jan. 6. - Observances and local customs vary, with many churches holding their main worship service on the evening before the feast; images from Tbilisi, St. Petersburg, Gaza City and Moscow were reported in connection with this year's celebrations. Summary: The Jan. 7 observance underscores how different calendar traditions determine the dates on which Orthodox and Oriental churches mark the Nativity, resulting in multiple coexisting practices. Undetermined at this time.