Do Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas?

The Greek Orthodox Church does not observe Christmas on January 7. Christmas falls on a different day in the Orthodox Church because they still observe the traditional Julian calendar, which has the original dates for Christian celebrations before the Gregorian calendar was introduced..

Why is Orthodox Christmas in January?

Orthodox Christmas day occurs every January 7 because the Orthodox Church still chooses to celebrate the birth of Jesus as per the Julian calendar. The Gregorian calendar that is currently in use today led to a new Christmas Day on December 25 due to the addition of new elements that changed the calendar year.

How do you say Merry Christmas in Greek?

Christmas Greetings in Greece

The Greek word for Christmas is Christougena or Christougenna, literally meaning “Christ’s birth.” When Greeks say “Merry Christmas,” they say, “Kala Christougena.” The apparent g sound is pronounced like a y.

Who celebrates Christmas Jan 7?

Orthodox Christian Christmas: Russia, Ukraine, Serbia among countries celebrating on January 7. In some Eastern European and Middle Eastern countries, Christmas is officially celebrated on January 7. That is because numerous Orthodox Christian churches follow the Julian calendar for religious celebrations.

Are tattoos permitted in the Orthodox Church?

Orthodox Jews, in application of Halakha (Jewish Law), reveal Leviticus 19:28 prohibits getting tattoos: “Do not make gashes in your skin for the dead. Do not make any marks on your skin.

What do you say on Orthodox Christmas?

“To all the Christian worshippers who celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar with the greeting Mir Božji, Hristos se rodi (Peace of God, Christ is born), I send Christmas wishes of joy and peace on the occasion of Christ’s birthday.

Why is it called Greek Orthodox?

The Greek word “orthodox” simply means “correct belief” and at the same time, “correct worship.” It became the name applied to the Christian Church that grew and flourished in the eastern, predominantly Greek speaking regions of the late Roman Empire.

Do Orthodox Christians fast on Fridays?

In Orthodoxy

Orthodox Christians are required to fast on Fridays (and Wednesdays), which means not consuming food until evening (sundown). The supper that is eaten after the fast is broken in the evening must not include shellfish.

Where in the Bible does it talk about tattoos? But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.

Do Greek Orthodox allow cremation?

According to the law, Orthodox Greeks can choose cremation as long as they have stated this in writing before their death or their immediate relatives wish it. “A pre-condition for the cremation is the clear, unequivocal statement of the deceased, or their relatives,” that they wish to be cremated, the law said.

Why do Orthodox eat fish after funeral?

A makaria is a tradition similar to a repast after a funeral; the family usually serves fish since this is a symbol of Christ, and there are no desserts or extravagances, though this is a time for religious celebrations.

Do Greek Orthodox have last rites?

When death is imminent, the family will call a priest to come to the hospital, Nursing Home or home to conduct Holy Communion and Last Confession.

What are the 12 days of Christmas orthodox?

The 12 days of Christmas is the period in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings’ Day).

What do you say in Greek when someone dies?

Traditional Greek Orthodox greetings to the bereaved Family are: “May you have an abundant life,” “Memory eternal,” and “May their memory be eternal.” Antiochian Orthodox expressions of sympathy include “May God give you the strength to bear your loss,” and “May his [or her] memory be eternal.”

What do Greek Orthodox do when someone dies? The services usually include a wake and funeral mass in a church. Like many conservative Christian religions, cremation is not allowed. The Greek Orthodox Church believes in the resurrection of the body and views cremation as a sin. The family members recite readings and they may also serve as pallbearers.

Do Greeks wear black to funerals? It is typical for mourners to avoid gatherings for the first forty days after the death occurs and also only wear black clothing during that time. Greek Orthodox widows usually wear black for two years. Memorial services are held on the Sunday closest to the fortieth day after the death.

Why do Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas on December 25?

Unlike other countries that are part of the European Union, Greece still has the true meaning of such a holiday as the Nativity of Christ – the birth of Jesus Christ. The date of this holiday is determined following the Gregorian calendar, so it falls on December 25th.

What are the 12 days of Christmas in Greece?

The Greek twelve days of Christmas begins at Christmas and continues until January 6th, which is known as the Feast of Epiphany. During these twelve days of Christmas, people keep their fires in their houses burning throughout this period. This is to keep evil spirits away from their homes through their chimneys.

What’s the difference between Christmas and Orthodox Christmas?

Christians of the Western rite celebrate Christmas by the Gregorian calendar – from December 24 to December 25, while Eastern Christians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar, that is, from January 6 to January 7.

What is Santa called in Greece?

The Greek Santa Claus is known as “Ayios Vassileios” in Greek. He is like the father of Christmas; also an old man with a white beard, who is wearing a red cape.

What are some Greek Christmas traditions?

The most popular traditions are the decoration of the Christmas boat, the Greek Christmas carols, the tradition of Saint Basil’s cake, the pomegranate, “kalikatzaroi”. And of course all the Greek Christmas treats, which every household prepares at Christmas time.

What food do they eat in Greece at Christmas?

Here are the typical Greek Christmas foods you can find on every table around Greece.

• Avgolemono Soup (Egg-Lemon Chicken Soup) Avgolemono is a very common dish enjoyed throughout the year – not only on Christmas.
• Stuffed cabbage leaves.
• Melomakarona.
• Kourabiedes.
• Diples.
• Christopsomo (or Christ’s bread)
• Pork.

Why is it called Greek orthodox?

The Greek word “orthodox” simply means “correct belief” and at the same time, “correct worship.” It became the name applied to the Christian Church that grew and flourished in the eastern, predominantly Greek speaking regions of the late Roman Empire.

What the difference between orthodox and Catholic? The Catholic Church believes the pope to be infallible in matters of doctrine. Orthodox believers reject the infallibility of the pope and consider their own patriarchs, too, as human and thus subject to error. In this way, they are similar to Protestants, who also reject any notion of papal primacy.