Ethan Walker
The date of Christmas celebrations for Eastern Catholics depends on the calendar they follow. Some Eastern Catholics follow the Gregorian calendar, while others follow the Julian calendar. For those using the Gregorian calendar, Christmas is celebrated on December 25, while those using the Julian calendar celebrate on January 7. This variation is seen within Eastern Catholic communities, with some aligning with Latin-rite Catholics and others with the Orthodox Church. For instance, Ukrainian Catholic Churches in Ukraine celebrate Christmas according to the Orthodox tradition, whereas some Eastern Catholics in the US follow the Latin rite.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 25 December |
| Calendar | Gregorian or Julian |
| Location | In the West (e.g. US: same as Latins; in the East (e.g. Syria, Jordan, Lebanon): same as Orthodox |
| Byzantine Catholics | Same as Latin-rite Catholics |
| Ukrainian Catholic Churches in Ukraine | Same as Orthodox |
| Ukrainian Catholic Churches in the US | Some align with Latins, some with Orthodox |
| Melkite Catholics | Align with the majority in the country |
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What You'll Learn
- Eastern Catholics in Ukraine celebrate Christmas in line with the Orthodox Church
- Byzantine Catholics celebrate Christmas like Latin-rite Catholics
- Eastern Catholics follow the Julian or Gregorian calendar depending on their location
- The Melkite community follows the Gregorian calendar
- The Russian Orthodox Church refers to Christmastide as Svyatki, meaning Holy Days
Eastern Catholics in Ukraine celebrate Christmas in line with the Orthodox Church
The date of Christmas celebrations varies for different Christian denominations. For instance, the Catholic Church, Lutheran Church, Anglican Church, Methodist Church, and some Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmastide from sunset on December 24, which is liturgically the beginning of Christmas Day.
However, in 2020, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), Patriarch Sviatoslav, stated that the Greek Catholic Church would resolve the issue of differing calendars "together with our Orthodox brothers". On October 18, 2022, the OCU allowed dioceses to hold Christmas services according to the Revised Julian calendar, i.e., December 25. On May 24, 2023, the OCU officially declared that December 25 would be the permanent date for Christmas commemorations, with the Church adopting the Revised Julian calendar for fixed feasts and solemnities. This change was approved by the Local Council on July 27, 2023, and signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 28, 2023.
This shift to celebrating Christmas on December 25 has been mourned by some as a loss of tradition and Ukrainian identity. Nevertheless, others have accepted the change as a demonstration of unity with other Christians, as most Christians have long since adopted Gregory XIII's calendric reforms.
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Byzantine Catholics celebrate Christmas like Latin-rite Catholics
The Byzantine Rite is characterized by its use of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom or the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, which are different from the Latin Rite liturgies used in the Roman Catholic Church. However, despite these differences in liturgical rites, Byzantine Catholics generally celebrate Christmas on the same day as Latin-rite Catholics, which is December 25th.
In the Byzantine Catholic tradition, the season of preparation for the Feast of the Nativity, or Christmas, is known as the "predprazdenstvo" or pre-festive period. This period begins on November 21st and lasts until December 19th. During this time, Byzantine Catholics may observe a strict fast or abstinence from meat to remind them of the hardships faced by Mary and Joseph before the birth of Jesus.
On the eve of Christmas, Byzantine Catholics celebrate the Royal Hours, a liturgical devotion that is only observed three times a year: on the mornings of the Eve of Epiphany, the Eve of Christmas, and Good Friday. The Royal Hours are followed by the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great with Vespers, after which families gather for the traditional "Holy Supper" or "Svjata Vecherja."
At midnight, church bells announce the birth of the Savior, and the faithful gather for the solemn celebration of the Great Compline with Litija. This includes the recitation of Psalms and the joyous singing of the Song of Isaiah, "God is with us" ("S nami Bog"). The liturgical hymns and songs of the Litija and the Matins are considered masterpieces of Byzantine hymnography.
In addition to the religious ceremonies, Byzantine Catholics also engage in traditional Christmas activities such as singing carols, exchanging gifts, and visiting family and friends.
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Eastern Catholics follow the Julian or Gregorian calendar depending on their location
The date of Christmas celebrations for Eastern Catholics depends on the calendar they follow, which is either the Julian or Gregorian calendar. For instance, Ukrainian Catholic Churches in Ukraine celebrate Christmas in line with the Orthodox Church, whereas some Ukrainian churches in the US celebrate in line with Latin-rite Catholics.
The Julian calendar is still used in some Eastern Catholic churches, such as those in Ukraine. These churches celebrate Christmas according to the Orthodox tradition, which falls on the 7th of January. This date is based on the Julian calendar, which was introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE.
On the other hand, most Eastern Catholics follow the Gregorian calendar and celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December. This calendar was introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, as a refinement of the Julian calendar. The Gregorian calendar is used by the majority of Catholic churches worldwide, including the Roman Catholic Church.
The Melkite community, for example, is part of the Eastern Catholic Churches but follows the Gregorian calendar. They align their calendar with the majority in their country, so if they are in a Western country, they celebrate with the Latins, and if they are in an Eastern country, they celebrate with the Orthodox.
In summary, Eastern Catholics celebrate Christmas according to either the Julian or Gregorian calendar, depending on their specific church traditions and the country they are located in.
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The Melkite community follows the Gregorian calendar
The celebration of Christmas varies among Eastern Catholics. While some follow the Gregorian calendar, others follow the Julian calendar. The Melkite community, in particular, adheres to the Gregorian calendar. This means that they celebrate Christmas in line with the Latin-rite Catholics, who observe Christmas on December 25.
The Melkites' alignment with the Gregorian calendar can be attributed to their adaptation to the majority culture in their country. Essentially, if they reside in Western countries, they celebrate Christmas according to the Latin tradition, whereas if they are in Eastern countries like Syria, Jordan, or Lebanon, they follow the Orthodox celebration. This flexibility in the Melkite community's liturgical calendar demonstrates an effort to harmonize their religious practices with the dominant cultural and religious traditions in their respective regions.
The Gregorian calendar is the calendar widely used in the Western world. It was introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, for whom it is named. This calendar replaced the Julian calendar, which was introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE. The Gregorian calendar included certain adjustments to more accurately reflect the length of a solar year, and it is the calendar that shapes the timing of many religious holidays, including Christmas, for much of the world today.
By following the Gregorian calendar, the Melkite community celebrates Christmas on December 25, which is the date recognized by the Catholic Church, Lutheran Church, Anglican Church, Methodist Church, and some Orthodox Churches. This date marks the beginning of Christmastide, a festive season in Christianity that extends from Christmas Day to Epiphany. Christmastide is a time for various religious and secular celebrations, including Christmas Day, Saint Stephen's Day, Childermas, New Year's Eve, the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ or the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the Feast of the Holy Family.
The Melkite community's alignment with the Gregorian calendar and, consequently, their celebration of Christmas on December 25, showcases their integration with the Latin-rite Catholic tradition and their adaptation to the cultural context of the Western world. This adaptability in liturgical practices allows the Melkites to unite with other Christian denominations in the West in observing one of the most important feast days in the Christian faith.
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The Russian Orthodox Church refers to Christmastide as Svyatki, meaning Holy Days
The date of Christmas varies for Eastern Catholics. For instance, Ukrainian Catholic Churches in Ukraine celebrate in line with the Orthodox Church, whereas some churches in the US celebrate in line with Latin-rite Catholics. Byzantine Catholics celebrate Christmas on the same day as Latin-rite Catholics.
In the Russian Orthodox Church, Christmastide is referred to as "Svyatki", meaning "Holy Days". It is celebrated from the 7th of January, the Nativity of Christ, to the 19th of January, the Theophany or Baptism of Christ. Svyatki is a period of twelve festive days between Christmas and Epiphany. The celebration includes attending church services, singing Christmas carols and spiritual hymns, visiting friends and family, and performing works of mercy, such as visiting the sick, elderly, and orphans.
The word "Svyatki" is derived from the Russian words "light" and "holiness". In ancient times, Christmastide was called "Holy Evenings", as Christians would leave their everyday work to celebrate the Nativity of Christ and the Theophany. The Theophany, or the Baptism of Christ, is celebrated on the 19th of January, also known as "the Day of Jordan", "Vodosvyatie" ("Consecration of Waters"), and "Vodokreshchi" ("Water Baptism").
The Christmas season is also marked by folk traditions and entertainment, such as puppet shows and nativity scenes, fortune-telling, and dressing up and going carol-singing. The celebration of Christmas in Russia was prohibited during the Soviet Union's era of state atheism, but it was reinstated as an official national holiday after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
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Frequently asked questions
The date of Christmas celebrations for Eastern Catholics depends on the calendar they are using. Some follow the Gregorian calendar, while others follow the Julian calendar. For example, Ukrainian Catholic Churches in Ukraine celebrate in line with the Orthodox Church, whereas some Eastern Catholics in the US celebrate in line with Latin-rite Catholics.
Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on 7 January. This date is also an official national holiday in countries like Russia.
Latin-rite Catholics celebrate Christmas on 25 December.
