"Understanding the Celebration of Orthodox Christmas 13 Days Later"

Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7th by certain Eastern Orthodox churches, such as the Russian Orthodox Church, due to their adherence to the ancient Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world. Other Orthodox churches have adopted a revised Julian calendar that aligns with the Gregorian dates. In Ukraine, the date of Christmas has also become a symbol of national identity, with some churches celebrating on December 25th as a stance of cultural independence from Russia. In North America, observances vary within traditions, with some celebrating on December 25th and others on January 7th. Eastern Orthodox Christmas traditions include a significant worship service on the night before Christmas.