Orthodox Christmas 2026
religiousThursday, January 7, 2027
114 days from today · next occurrence
About Orthodox Christmas
Orthodox Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Julian calendar, which many Eastern Orthodox churches still follow for their liturgical year. Because the old calendar runs thirteen days behind the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world, the feast lands on January 7 instead of December 25.
The day is a major religious holiday in countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus, Georgia, and Moldova, and it is observed by Orthodox communities everywhere from the Balkans to the Middle East. Church attendance sits at the heart of the celebration, with candlelit services and choirs singing ancient hymns.
The mood is reverent but warm. Families gather for festive meals that often include a meat-free Christmas Eve supper of twelve dishes, carols called koliadky, and warm greetings exchanged after the long fast. Customs vary by country, but the themes of light, humility, and family remain constant from village churches to city cathedrals.
When is Orthodox Christmas?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | January 7, 2026 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | January 7, 2027 | Thursday |
| 2028 | January 7, 2028 | Friday |
| 2029 | January 7, 2029 | Sunday |
| 2030 | January 7, 2030 | Monday |
History of Orthodox Christmas
Christmas on January 7 is a byproduct of calendar politics. The Roman world adopted the Julian calendar under Julius Caesar, but it drifted against the solar year by roughly one day every 128 years. When Pope Gregory XIII introduced a refined calendar in 1582, Catholic countries switched quickly, while Orthodox churches kept the Julian calendar for worship. Thirteen days now separate the two systems, so December 25 on the old calendar falls on January 7 in the modern one. Some churches, including those in Greece and Bulgaria, adopted the Revised Julian calendar and celebrate alongside the West, while others hold to the old date. In Soviet times, public celebration was suppressed, and the holiday's revival after 1991 made January 7 a national public holiday once again in several countries.
How to Celebrate Orthodox Christmas
- Attend an Orthodox Christmas service at a local parish, even if you are only visiting.
- Cook a traditional Christmas Eve menu with dishes such as kutia wheat pudding, borscht, or stuffed cabbage.
- Listen to Slavic or Byzantine carols and learn the story behind them.
- Fast lightly on the evening of January 6 as many Orthodox families do before the feast.
- Send greetings to Orthodox friends on January 7 instead of December 25.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Orthodox Christmas?
- Orthodox Christmas falls every year on January 7, because many Eastern Orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar, which currently runs thirteen days behind the Gregorian calendar.
- Is Orthodox Christmas a public holiday?
- Yes in many countries. January 7 is a public holiday in Russia, Serbia, Belarus, Georgia, and several other nations, but it is a normal working day and not a public holiday in the United States and most of Western Europe.
- How do people celebrate Orthodox Christmas?
- Believers observe the day with church services, festive family meals, and carols. Many fast on Christmas Eve, share a twelve-dish meatless supper, then enjoy roast dishes and sweets on Christmas Day.
- Why do some Christians celebrate Christmas in January?
- They follow the Julian calendar for religious feasts. Its dates sit thirteen days behind the modern Gregorian calendar, so December 25 on the old calendar equals January 7 today.