Why do Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas on the 25th?

Unlike other countries that are part of the European Union, Greece still has the true meaning of such a holiday as the Nativity of Christ – the birth of Jesus Christ. The date of this holiday is determined following the Gregorian calendar, so it falls on December 25th.

Why is Greek Orthodox Christmas different?

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?

1923
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.

Why is Orthodox Christmas on January 6th?

Orthodox Christians didn’t split from the Roman Catholic church until 1054, by which time Christmas had moved to January 6th, so again some Eastern Orthodox churches stuck with the Julian calendar which is why Christmas Day in Russia is January 7th. The day of this major feast in the Armenian Church is January 6th.

Do all Orthodox celebrate Christmas on January 7th?

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.

What is the difference between Greek and Greek Orthodox?

Historically, the term “Greek Orthodox” has been used to describe all Eastern Orthodox churches in general, since the term “Greek” can refer to the heritage of the Byzantine Empire. Thus, Eastern Orthodox came to be called “Greek” Orthodox in the same way that the Western Christians came to be called “Roman” Catholic.

Why do some celebrate Christmas on January 7?

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.

Do Greeks celebrate Christmas?

Greek Christmas (Christougena) is celebrated on the 25th of December and is the time when families come together to celebrate. Throughout Christmas holidays there are several Greek Christmas traditions that passed from generation to generation and are still celebrated.

Do all Greeks belong to the Greek Orthodox Church?

Religion in Greece is dominated by the Greek Orthodox Church, which is within the larger communion of the Eastern Orthodox Church. According to other sources, 81.4\% of Greeks identify as Orthodox Christians and 14.7\% are atheists.

What is Greek Christmas called?

Christougena
Greek Christmas (Christougena) is celebrated on the 25th of December and is the time when families come together to celebrate. Throughout Christmas holidays there are several Greek Christmas traditions that passed from generation to generation and are still celebrated.

Why do Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on January 7?

Many Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth, described in the Christian Bible.

Where do the Orthodox celebrate Christmas Day 2020?

Orthodox Christmas Day 2020. Tue, Jan 7, 2020 – 19 countries. Mon, Jan 6, 2020 – Armenia. 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.

What is the difference between Orthodox Christmas and Catholic Christmas?

The thing that matters is because of how Catholic and Orthodox Christians use various calendars to mark the holy day. Orthodox Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. For Christians, it is a 12-day season that starts on December 25th and finishes on January fifth.

Why is Christmas on 25th December?

It is in some cases likewise called The Incarnation of Christ to demonstrate that God became man in Christ to live in the world. Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar which puts the day on January 7. Most Christians follow the modern-day Gregorian Calendar which places Christmas on December 25.