Who celebrates Christmas on January 7th, 2025?

The seventh of January might not seem like a date that brings joy—most of us are firmly back into our daily routines after the fun of the winter holidays. But for Orthodox Christians, this marks the peak of their festivities.

Who celebrates Christmas on 7 January?

Orthodox Christians around the world have been celebrating Christmas by attending church services. While the majority of the Christian world celebrate Christmas Day on 25 December, for many of the world's 200 million Orthodox Christians, the birth of Jesus Christ is marked on 7 January.

Which calendar celebrates Christmas on January 7th?

Orthodox Christmas Day 2026

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 do Russians celebrate Christmas on January 7th?

It is celebrated on 25 December on the Julian calendar, which corresponds to 7 January on the Gregorian calendar (the calendar that is mostly used in Western society). It is considered a high holiday by the church, one of the 12 Great Feasts, and one of only four of which are preceded by a period of fasting.

Which African country celebrates Christmas on January 7th?

Orthodox Christians in several countries, including Ethiopia, Egypt, Eritrea are celebrating Christmas on January 7. Orthodox Christians are celebrating Christmas with festivities being held across several countries, some in Africa.

Why Do Russians Celebrate Christmas on January 7? The Story Behind the Date Shift

Why does Egypt celebrate Christmas on January 7th?

While much of the world celebrates Christmas on December 25th, Christmas in Egypt is celebrated on January 7th by the Coptic Orthodox Church. This date follows the Julian calendar and adds a second wave of festivities in early January, giving travelers a chance to enjoy extended celebrations.

Why do Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on January 7th?

Ukraine has traditionally used the Julian calendar, also used by Russia, where Christmas falls on 7 January. In a further shift from Russia, it is now marking Christmas according to the Western - or Gregorian - calendar, which it uses in everyday life.

Was Jesus born on January 7th?

The exact date of the birth of Jesus has not been established. Christmas is a day celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, who many Christians believe is the son of God. While many celebrate Christmas on December 25, some Orthodox Christians mark it on January 7.

Do Catholics celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is such a big deal—God coming to meet us in the world, in the flesh—that the Church celebrates it not just one day, nor even 12 days, but for an entire season lasting anywhere from 16 to 22 days.

Is January 7 a holiday in Russia?

Orthodox Christmas

Christmas in Russia (Рождество Христово, Rozhdestvo Khristovo) is celebrated on 25 December (Julian calendar) which falls on 7 January (Gregorian calendar) and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Why is Christmas celebrated on January 7th instead of December 25th?

Eastern Orthodox churches honor Christmas on December 25. However, for those that continue to use the Julian calendar for their liturgical observances, this date corresponds to January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. The churches of the Oriental Orthodox communion celebrate Christmas variously.

Do Orthodox Christians believe Jesus is God?

He became a man, and thus He is at once fully God and fully man. His coming to earth was foretold in the Old Testament by the Prophets. Because Jesus Christ is at the heart of Christianity, the Orthodox Church has given more attention to knowing Him than to anything or anyone else.

What is the difference between Catholic and Orthodox Christians?

The primary theological difference is that the Catholic Church believes the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Father to Jesus Christ the Son, and the Orthodox Church believes the Holy Spirit proceeds only from God the Father.

Why is Serbian Christmas on January 7th?

It's not as odd a question as it seems. Christmas in Serbia is aligned to the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian one, meaning the key date for festivities is 7 January rather than 25 December.

Do Orthodox Christians believe in the Trinity?

The fundamental truth of the Orthodox Church is the faith revealed in the True God: the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is in reality the declaration of the Christian faith, formulated and pronounced by the Ecumenical Synods of the One Undivided Church.

Which countries celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7?

Is Epiphany the same as Ukrainian Christmas?

Traditionally, Orthodox Christmas in Ukraine has started on January 6 and lasted until January 19, which is known as the Feast of Epiphany.

Do Greeks celebrate Christmas on January 7th?

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. Greeks celebrate Christmas, the birthof Jesus Christ, on December 25th.

Is January 7 a holiday in Egypt?

Tuesday, 7 January – Coptic Christmas Day

Observed mainly by Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Christian community, this day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a public holiday across Egypt, typically observed with: Family gatherings.

Which African country celebrates Christmas on January 7th, the orthodox date of Jesus' birth?

Ethiopian Christmas is celebrated on 7 January (Tahsas 29 in the Ethiopian calendar) as the day of Jesus' birth, alongside the Russian, Greek, Eritrean and Serbian Orthodox Churches. It is also celebrated by Protestant and Catholic denominations in the country.

Do Russian Orthodox believe in Jesus?

Russian Orthodoxy is a branch of Christianity. Like other branches, it holds that God sent Jesus Christ, his son and an aspect of himself, to teach people how to live morally.

Why did Ukraine change Christmas?

Since 2023 Christmas is only officially celebrated in Ukraine on 25 December. This was done as a part of an official campaign to remove Russian influence in Ukraine.

What is the most celebrated holiday in Russia?

January 1, New Year's Day – This is often said to be the most beloved holiday. Russians often celebrate it again on January 14; this date corresponds to New Year's on the Julian Calendar used in Russia prior to 1918.