Orthodox Christians Celebrate Christmas Worldwide

Orthodox Christmas Observance

On January 7, many Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas, with Christmas Eve occurring on January 6, according to the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world.

Clerics are preparing for the arrival of Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, to celebrate Orthodox Christmas in Bethlehem, located in occupied West Bank.

Palestinian scout bands parade through Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

People participate in an Orthodox Christmas service outside the Kashveti Church of St. George in Tbilisi, Georgia.

An Orthodox Coptic bishop may lead Christmas prayers at the St. Michael's Church in Cairo, Egypt.

Iranian Christians attend a service celebrating Orthodox Christmas at St. Sarkis Cathedral in Tehran.

People burn dry oak branches, symbolizing the Yule log, on Christmas Eve outside the Church of St. Sava in Belgrade, Serbia.

A woman lights a candle during a Christmas service at the Naval Cathedral of Kronstadt in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Worshippers receive communion during a Christmas service at the Syriac Orthodox Church in Sulaimaniyah, a neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria.

Orthodox Christians participate in a Christmas Eve service at the St. Clement Church in Ohrid, Skopje, North Macedonia.