Select language:

Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas

 / Главная / Russkiy Mir Foundation / News /  Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas

Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas


06.01.2018

pixabay.comOrthodox Christmas Eve took place in Russia on January 6th was according to the Orthodox traditions, TASS reports. That marked the end of multi-day Christmas fast, which has lasted for forty days and the strictest day of the fast. Patriarch Kirill headed the church service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Patriarch called Christmas the central event in the humanity history.

Christmas service began an hour before midnight. Sermons were served in the early hours of January 7th and next morning in more than thirty thousand Orthodox churches all over the world.

Many believers refused any food before they see the first star in the sky to commemorate the moment when the sorcerers came to the birth place of Christ following the star. The candle standing in front of the altar symbolizes this star. It is lit at the end of the Christmas service.

Ambassadors of the World – The Nativity plays of Trentino-Alto Adige exposition is opened at Christ the Savior’s Cathedral in Moscow. The plays are presented in many different styles. Earlier, these shows were demonstrated in Jerusalem, at the St. Paul’s Square in the capital of Italy, at the Christmas Basilica in Bethlehem and in other places.

The Nativity plays by the Italian masters are neighboring works made by Moscow Sunday schools students.

The Nutcracker ballet will be presented in the Bolshoi Theatre for six days. Rostov Action by Dmitry Rostovsky were be shown at the Pokrovsky Chamber Music Theatre. Traditional Christmas festival starts on January 11. The festival is initiated by Vladimir Spivakov and Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk. Moscow Synodal Choir, Choirs of Sretensky and Danilov Monasteries, Chorus from the Alps of Italy, boys’ choir from Spanish Escorial monastery, National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia headed by Spivakov and other troupes are taking part in the festival.

Russkiy Mir  

News by subject

Publications

Italian entrepreneur Marco Maggi's book, "Russian to the Bone," is now accessible for purchase in Italy and is scheduled for release in Russia in the upcoming months. In the book, Marco recounts his personal odyssey, narrating each stage of his life as a foreigner in Russia—starting from the initial fascination to the process of cultural assimilation, venturing into business, fostering authentic friendships, and ultimately, reaching a deep sense of identifying as a Russian at his very core.