Why Do Greek Orthodox Celebrate Christmas In January?

Many Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth , described in the Christian Bible. This date works to the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly observed.

Why is Greek Orthodox Christmas different?

Christmas falls on a different day in the Orthodox Church because they still observe the traditional Julian calendar , which has the original dates for Christian celebrations before the Gregorian calendar was introduced. This means that, technically, Orthodox churches still observe Christmas on December 25.

Do Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas in January?

When is it celebrated? Many Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 . This is because their churches use a different calendar to figure out when their holidays are.

When did Greek Orthodox change Christmas?

So the Orthodox Church rejected the Gregorian calendar and continued to rely on the Julian calendar. It stayed that way for centuries, and the calendar drift continued for Orthodox churches. By 1923 , there was a 13-day difference between the two calendars, putting Orthodox Christmas 13 days after December 25.

Which Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on December 25?

Some Orthodox countries – including Greece, Cyprus and Romania – adopted a revised Julian calendar in 1923, and now celebrate with us on December 25.

Why is Orthodox Christmas different than Catholic?

Firstly, the difference between Orthodox and Catholic Christmas is quite simply an issue about dates . ... Therefore, while the West celebrates the birth of Christ on the 25 ^th December (according to the Gregorian Calendar), the Orthodox Church, in accordance with the Julian Calendar, celebrate Christmas on the 7 ^th January.

Can you be cremated if you are Greek Orthodox?

According to the law, Orthodox Greeks can choose cremation as long as they have stated this in writing before their death or their immediate relatives wish it . ... For decades the Greek Orthodox Church had strongly opposed cremation, saying the body is God’s creation and cannot be burned.

What the difference between Orthodox and Catholic?

The Catholic Church believes the pope to be infallible in matters of doctrine. Orthodox believers reject the infallibility of the pope and consider their own patriarchs, too , as human and thus subject to error. In this way, they are similar to Protestants, who also reject any notion of papal primacy.

When was Jesus actually born?

The date of birth of Jesus is not stated in the gospels or in any historical reference, but most biblical scholars assume a year of birth between 6 and 4 BC .

Do Greek Orthodox have Christmas trees?

But Orthodoxy has a very different view on Christmas trees. The Christmas tree is derived, not from the pagan yule tree, but from the paradise tree adorned with apples on December 24/January 7 in honor of Adam and Eve. Hence the Orthodox Church considers the Christmas tree completely biblical in origin .

What do Greek Orthodox believe in?

The Orthodox Churches are united in faith and by a common approach to theology, tradition, and worship. ... The Orthodox Churches share with the other Christian Churches the belief that God revealed himself in Jesus Christ , and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection.

What calendar does Greek Orthodox?

All Eastern Orthodox churches base their liturgical calendar on the Julian calendar , but some use the Revised Julian calendar. It was introduced in 1923 to bridge the gap between the Julian calendar used by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Gregorian calendar used by the rest of the world.

What is the color of the Greek Orthodox flag?

Often referred to as the “ blue-white” , the present flag is based on nine horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white. On the top left, there is a blue square canton with a white cross, a symbol of the Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the Greeks.

What do you say on Orthodox Christmas?

“To all the Christian worshippers who celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar with the greeting Mir Božji, Hristos se rodi (Peace of God, Christ is born) , I send Christmas wishes of joy and peace on the occasion of Christ’s birthday.

Which Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on January 7?

Most Orthodox Christians for example, celebrate Christmas on January 7th as opposed to December 25th – today namely being the Coptic Orthodox Church (in Egypt) and the Russian Orthodox Church . The difference in these dates lies in the history of how these dates came about in the first place.

How many countries are Orthodox?