Why January 7th? The Calendar Explanation
Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on the same date as Western Christians — December 25th. However, many Orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world. Since the Julian calendar runs 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, December 25th on the Julian calendar falls on January 7th on the Gregorian calendar.
Julian Calendar
Orthodox Christmas Day
Gregorian Calendar
Same day, different date
📅 Important Note
Not all Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar. The Greek, Romanian, Bulgarian, Antiochian, Alexandrian, and some other Orthodox churches have adopted a revised calendar and celebrate Christmas on December 25th with Western Christians. The Russian, Serbian, Georgian, Jerusalem, Polish, and some other Orthodox churches continue using the Julian calendar.
When to Put Up Your Orthodox Christmas Tree
For Orthodox Christians following the Julian calendar, tree-decorating timing varies by tradition:
- December 19-January 2 (Julian): Traditional preparation period, corresponds to early January on the Gregorian calendar
- January 6 (Gregorian): Christmas Eve — many families set up trees on this day
- January 7 (Gregorian): Christmas Day — trees are fully decorated and lit
- Keep up until January 19: Epiphany/Theophany on the Julian calendar
A key principle in Orthodox tradition is not to "pre-celebrate" Christmas. The Nativity Fast (similar to Advent) is a time of preparation and restraint, with the celebration reserved for the actual feast day.
Orthodox Christmas Calendar 2025-2026
Nativity Fast Begins
40-day fast begins (Nov 15 Julian). Meat, dairy, and often fish restricted.
Christmas Eve (Gregorian)
Royal Hours services. Strict fast day — no food until first star appears. Holy Supper of 12 dishes.
The Nativity of Christ
Divine Liturgy, family gatherings, feasting. "Christ is Born!" — "Glorify Him!"
Svyatki (Holy Days)
Twelve days of Christmas. Visiting, caroling, celebration. Trees remain decorated.
Theophany/Epiphany
Baptism of Christ. Great Blessing of Waters. Traditional end of the Christmas season.
Orthodox Christmas Traditions by Country
Russia
Russian Christmas centers on the Novogodnyaya Yolka (New Year's tree), a tradition that survived Soviet-era suppression by being secularized. Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and his granddaughter Snegurochka bring gifts on New Year's Eve.
The Holy Supper on Christmas Eve features 12 meatless dishes representing the 12 apostles. Orthodox families attend Divine Liturgy, broadcast nationally from the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.
Serbia
Serbian Orthodox Christmas features the unique tradition of the Badnjak — a young oak tree or branches ceremonially burned on Christmas Eve. The fire symbolizes warmth for the Christ child and the burning of sins.
The Christmas bread (česnica) contains a hidden coin; whoever finds it receives good luck for the year. Family bonds are strengthened through the kum (godparent) system.
Georgia
Georgian Christmas features the Chichilaki, a unique "Christmas tree" made from dried hazelnut or walnut branches shaved into curly strips. It's said to resemble St. Basil's beard and symbolizes the Tree of Life.
The Alilo parade sees thousands marching through cities carrying icons and crosses, singing carols, with many dressed in biblical costumes. Chichilaki are burned on January 19th to symbolize troubles passing.
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas, called Ganna, is celebrated with distinctive white traditional clothing (netela or gabi). Worshippers gather in ancient rock-hewn churches for all-night services.
The celebration includes traditional food like doro wat (spiced chicken stew) and injera. The festival of Timkat (Epiphany) 12 days later is considered even more significant.
Greece
Greek Orthodox Christmas falls on December 25th as Greece uses the revised Julian calendar. However, traditions remain distinctively Orthodox, with emphasis on religious observance over commercialism.
Traditionally, Greeks decorated boats rather than trees (still seen in the islands). Children sing kalanda (carols) door-to-door. St. Basil brings gifts on January 1st, not Christmas.
🍽️ The 12-Dish Holy Supper
Traditional Orthodox Christmas Eve features 12 meatless dishes representing the 12 apostles:
The Orthodox Christmas Tree Tradition
Interestingly, the Christmas tree tradition has deep Orthodox roots, though it's often associated with Western Christianity. A 13th-century manuscript describes Byzantine Emperor Anastasios I commissioning decorated brass trees with 180 lamps each for a Syrian church in 512 AD. Churches throughout the Orthodox world have long featured tree-like candelabra flanking the sanctuary.
In Russia, the Christmas tree tradition was introduced by Nicholas I's wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, from her native Prussia in the 19th century. During the Soviet era, the tree was secularized as the "New Year's tree" but remained beloved. Since 1991, religious Christmas celebrations have been fully restored.