Re: Orthodox Christmas

MarieIG · ‎03-10-2010

@traveler Hi Traveler. The Epiphany is January 6; and the Orthodox Christmas is January 7th. When my husband grew up in Greece, they celebrated on the 7th; although now it is December 25th. My mother was also Greek; so growing up we put up the tree prior to December 25th for Dad, but kept it up through the Epiphany and then the Greek Christmas. I had no problem with two Christmas and Easter celebrations.

If I remember I'll ask my in-laws about it when we speak to them (they live in Greece) later this week.

Do the math.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

My husbandis Orthodox Christian. He and his family celebrate Christmas on January 7. They always have. Their church follows the Julian calendar. Their Easter is usually on a different day as well than those Christians who follow the Georgian calendar.

Where I live, most people of all faiths leave their Christmas decorations up until after Jan 7 to show respect for the Orthodox Christians. It's a tight knit community with many 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants from many different countries in Europe.

4kitties · ‎03-09-2010

Interesting thread. I know Epiphany is January 6, but I did not realize others celebrated Christmas on the 7th.

I have learned something new! Thanks!

“I heard the sound I had to follow”
In Your Wildest Dreams by Justin Hayward

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

Oh, thanks for that footnote, @Carmie , about Armenians celebrating Christmas Day on January 6, not January 7. I've always had that bit of confusion, thinking the 6th, Epiphany, was the day widely celebrated by Orthodox, but reading that it was (for most, it turns out) the 7th.

My Mother had told us about January 6 being traditionally another Christmas celebrated. She liked the idea and we always left decorations up till Epiphany, the 6th.

She wasn't Armenian, her family was Irish and English, before which they were French Huguenots who fled France in the 16th or 17th century to avoid persecution. I think some of their ideas about Christmas faintly survived in her family to be still manifest in the 20th century, which I thought was neat!

SANNA · ‎04-23-2010

@traveler wrote:
Yes, it is January 7, 2021. I thought this would be a conversation starter for types of celebrations. Gotta say the hostility surprised me.

I am appalled by the hostility on these boards. People do not understand the meaning of Community anymore.