Michael Brooks
Greek Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th, unlike other Orthodox Christians who celebrate on January 7th. The Greek Orthodox Church in Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1923, which is why Christmas is celebrated on December 25th in these countries. The Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, is the world's most widely used civil calendar and is used by Catholic Christians to celebrate Christmas. The Julian calendar, on the other hand, is used by many Orthodox Christian countries for their holy festivals, resulting in a different date for Christmas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 25th of December |
| Calendar | Gregorian |
| Preceding Events | 40-day period of preparation known as Advent or the Nativity Fast |
| Celebration Period | 12 days |
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What You'll Learn
Greek Orthodox Church in Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria
The Greek Orthodox Church is a term that can refer to any one of three classes of Christian churches associated with Greek Christianity. In its broadest sense, it refers to the entire body of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. In a narrower sense, it refers to several independent churches within the worldwide communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity that retain the use of the Greek language in formal ecclesiastical settings. These include the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and its dependencies, the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, the Church of Greece, and the Church of Cyprus.
The Church of Cyprus is one of the oldest Eastern Orthodox autocephalous churches, claiming to have always been independent. It is based in Cyprus and is part of the communion of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Orthodox cathedral of St George, known as Saint George of the Greeks, is an example of the fusion of Gothic and Byzantine architecture.
The Church of Greece is an Eastern Orthodox Church operating within the modern borders of Greece. It is estimated that 81-90% of the population of Greece identified as Greek Orthodox in 2022.
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is also part of the Eastern Orthodox communion, which is organised into several regional churches, including Bulgaria. Eastern Orthodox Christians constitute a significant majority in Bulgaria.
The Greek Orthodox Church, including those in Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria, celebrates Christmas over twelve days, starting on December 25, the day of the Nativity of Christ. This period bridges the birth of Jesus Christ with his baptism, culminating in the Feast of Epiphany or Theophany, which commemorates the manifestation of the Holy Trinity during the baptism of Jesus.
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The Nativity
The date of Jesus's birth is not mentioned in the gospels or any secular text. However, it is estimated to be between 6 and 4 BC, based on the death of Herod. The historical evidence is ambiguous, and the gospel narratives of Jesus's early life do not align with the secular history of the time. Nevertheless, the Nativity forms the basis for the Christian celebration of Christmas and plays a significant role in the Christian liturgical year.
In the Middle Ages, the birth of Jesus was interpreted through the lens of Saint Augustine's "Felix culpa" ("happy fall"), intertwining it with the teachings on the fall of Adam and Eve. This theology persisted into the Protestant Reformation and was further developed by 20th-century theologians such as Karl Barth, who viewed the Nativity as the birth of a new man, free from sin, in contrast to Adam.
The artistic depiction of the Nativity has been a significant subject for Christian artists since the 4th century. These depictions often emphasise the humility of Jesus and present a more tender image of him, a shift from the early "Lord and Master" portrayal. The Nativity is also popularly enacted in Christmas pageants and plays, and many Christians display small manger scenes in their homes during the festive season.
In the Greek Orthodox Church, the twelve days of Christmas are celebrated, bridging the birth of Jesus with his baptism. This festal period includes the Feast of the Nativity, which is celebrated for twelve days, culminating in the Feast of Epiphany or Theophany, commemorating the manifestation of the Holy Trinity during Jesus's baptism.
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The Incarnation
The Greek Orthodox Church, along with some other Orthodox Churches, celebrates Christmas according to the Julian calendar, which falls on January 7 in the Gregorian calendar. However, the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1923, and now celebrates Christmas on December 25.
The Feast of Christmas, also known as "The Nativity" or "The Incarnation" in the Orthodox Church, commemorates the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God made flesh, and his birth. The celebration of the Incarnation is a pivotal event in the Christian faith, as it marks the fulfilment of God's promise to redeem humanity and restore their relationship with him. It is a testament to God's love, grace, and willingness to humble himself to save his people.
The celebration of the Incarnation is not just about acknowledging a historical event but also about embracing the ongoing presence of Christ in the world and in the lives of believers. It is a reminder that God is not distant or uninvolved but intimately connected with his creation. Through the Incarnation, God continues to work in the world, offering hope, healing, and transformation to all who seek him.
The twelve days of Christmas in the Orthodox Church, from December 25 to January 5, are a festive period that bridges the birth of Christ with his baptism. Each day during this time has its own theological and historical significance, honouring various aspects of Christ's life and the witness of the Church. This festive period culminates in the Feast of Epiphany or Theophany, which celebrates the revelation of God in human form as Jesus and his baptism.
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Advent
The word "Advent" comes from the Latin "ad-venio", which means "to come to". In the Orthodox Church, the season of Advent is marked by a 40-day period of fasting and reflection known as the Nativity Fast. This period is intended to help direct hearts and minds towards prayer and worship, spiritual needs, and the relationship with God.
The specific dates of Advent have varied throughout history. In the eighth century, it was observed as a time of fast and abstinence from November 15 until the Nativity, which was later reduced to seven days. A council of the Ruthenians in 1720 reinstated the longer fast, which is the rule followed by some Greeks.
The Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of Christmas, also known as "The Nativity" and "The Incarnation", on December 25. This is followed by a 12-day festal period that bridges the birth of Jesus Christ with his baptism. The 12 days of Christmas are considered a time of great joy and celebration.
In the Catholic Church, Advent begins on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle on November 30 and includes four Sundays. The first Sunday can fall anywhere between November 27 and December 3, resulting in a season lasting 21 to 28 days.
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Epiphany
The Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Epiphany, also known as Theophany, on 6 January. The date coincides with the Gregorian calendar, which is used for civil purposes in most countries. The Orthodox Church celebrates Epiphany on the same date as the Catholic Church.
In the Orthodox Church, 6 January is officially called the 'Baptism of our Lord'. On the day of Jesus' baptism, the Holy Trinity was made manifest with the appearance of a dove and a voice from the sky. The Evangelist John preserves John the Baptist's witness of the divinity of Christ. John the Baptist proclaimed the arrival of the Saviour, saying, "one mightier than I is coming after Me", "He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire", and "will gather the wheat into his barn".
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Frequently asked questions
Greek Catholics, or those following the Greek Orthodox Church, celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December.
The 25th of December is the day that commemorates the Nativity of Christ, according to the Gregorian calendar.
No, some Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar, on what is the 25th of December according to the Julian calendar but the 7th of January according to the Gregorian calendar.
The Julian calendar was implemented in 46 B.C. by Julius Caesar and is used by some Orthodox Christians for their holy festivals. The Gregorian calendar, on the other hand, was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII and is the world's most widely used civil calendar.
The 12 days of Christmas bridge the birth of Jesus Christ with his baptism and became a festive period of celebration. The 12 days begin with the Nativity and end with the Feast of Epiphany or Theophany, which celebrates the revelation of God in human form as Jesus.
