Travels. Turning to Christmas: Conspiracies and Signs Which countries celebrate Christmas on January 7
Why in the west christmas on December 25, and we have already on January 7? Explain - briefly and quickly!
In fact, the Orthodox, and Catholics celebrate Nativity one day - December 25.. Although this date of birth of Jesus Christ is conditional. Neither in the Bible, not to find it in any other document.
On December 25, the Roman Empire traditionally celebrated one of the most important holidays - "Unbeatable Sun.". It was then that darkness marked noticeably, and the light day became longer. To reduce the influence of the pagan holiday, on this day began to celebrate the birthday of the "True Sun" - Jesus Christ, say some historians.
Tradition to celebrate Christmas of Christ on December 25, Catholics and Orthodox remained so far. However, they do it in different calendars. In the West - by Grigorian, for example, in Russia, Georgia, Serbia and Ukraine - Juliansky calendar.
What did Christians divide?
A long time ago Julius Caesarintroduced the calendar, practically the same as modern, - Julian. It seemed that everything was perfect, but the calendar was not quite accurate.
In fact, the Earth makes turn around the sun approximately 12 minutes slower than the ancient Romans thought. The calendar began to shift. Christmas Start gradually approach spring, and Easter to the summer! For a half thousand years, the Julian calendar has been lagging behind as many as 10 days.
"Ugliness!" - thought dad Roman Grigory XIII And he started the reform of the Julian calendar.
The Pope ordered some years formerly formerly highly, "considered" low. This significantly reduced differences - up to 26 seconds per year. To compensate for the lag, he ordered even to skip 10 days. And in 1582, the fifteenth came immediately after October 4! The reformed calendar called, of course, Grigorian.
But not all countries moved to a new calendar. In particular, Ukraine, which was in the Russian Empire, lived in Old, Julian. The motives are political: "Catholic an Orthodox brother," they thought to the empire.
But during the revolution, the Ukrainian People's Republic moved to a new Gregorian calendar. Bolsheviks also introduced it. But the church, adhering to tradition, did not want to support the communists.
There was a situation that ordinary people began to live in a new style (Gregory calendar), and the church continued on the old (Julian).
The inaccuracy of the church - Julian calendar - in the years they deepened. Now it is up to 13 days.
Therefore, when Catholics celebrate Christmas on December 25 at the Gregorian calendar, then in Juliansky it is only December 12th. The Ukrainian Orthodox and Greek Catholics should be waiting for another 13 days before Christ. Therefore, when in Julian (church), the calendar finally comes on December 25, then in the Grigorian, on which we live, January 7th.
And in 2100, because of the inaccuracies of the Julian calendar, the Christmas will fall on January 8!
What calendars celebrate Christmas in the world?
Now the Russian, Georgian, Serbian, Jerusalem Orthodox Church, as well as the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (PCU) and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) continue to use the Julian calendar.
Ukrainian Greek Catholics, being at the beginning of the twentieth century as part of Poland, did not move to the Gregorian calendar for political reasons. Ukrainian believers did not want to lose their, different from Polish, identity. Also Greco Catholics sought to keep the connection with the Ukrainians who were part of the USSR. Celebration in some days should have been symbolically combined Ukrainians on different sides of the border.
The Novoyulian (improved Julian calendar), which until 2800 will fully coincide with the Gregorian, use 11 Orthodox churches, mainly located in Western Europe. For example, Romanian, Bulgarian, Polish Orthodox Churches and the Orthodox Church of Czech lands and Slovakia. As well as "Greek" Orthodox churches: Constantinople, Alexandrian, Antioch, Elaladskaya, Albanian.
Metropolitan Kiev and All Ukraine Epiphany stated that Ukrainians can celebrate Christmas in the Gregorian calendar if they want it. Also in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine will think about calendar reform, provided that it will be supported by most believers. But so far church hierarchs fear that the transition to a new calendar (Gregorian) can provoke confrontation and split among Ukrainian believers.
Very soon believers will meet Orthodox Christmas. It is known on January 6 a Christmas Eve, Christians are celebrated, who are guided by Julian calendar.
Christmas is a stunning, atmospheric and incredibly magical festival, which is customary to cope on January 7th. Christmas Eve, a lot of dishes on the Christmas table, carols and fortune telling - all this of all believers expects one holiday. Some do not know where and how to celebrate Christmas, so we have prepared a material for you, which will answer all the questions.
Which countries celebrate Christmas in January?
Christmas is a holiday with a centuries-old history, but not always did not always handle it in the usual time for us. It is believed that before 1918 the Russian Federation made Christmas together with most of Europe on December 25, a week before the New Year. Next, there was a transition to a modern summer, the holiday began to determine in January. Due to the fact that the Gregorian calendar in the Russian Federation was accepted much later than in other states, in celebrations there was a break of 14 days.
Who and when celebrates christmas
Jerusalem, Georgian, Serbian and Polish Orthodox churches will cope the Christmas of Christ on December 25. Christmas, which falls on January 7, copes monasteries on the Holy Mountain Athos, Orthodox Russians, Protestants, the Catholics of the Eastern Rite, and the people who adhere to the Julian calendar. Coptic Orthodox Church (Egypt) and Orthodox in Belarus, Orthodox and Greek Catholics of Ukraine, Macedonia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan will also cope the holiday on January 7.
When to meet the right - December 25th or January 7?
Christmas is Christo - this is one of the most important solemn events that will cope in all Christian countries of the world. This celebration has a fixed date, but Catholics and Orthodox copiers it in different days. Catholics celebrate Christmas on December 25, while Orthodox - January 7th.
It is known that Christmas celebration was established in the first centuries of Christianity. Christmas used to cope with baptism on January 6, earlier the event was called the name of the Epiphany.
Baptism and Christmas separated from each other in 337. The decision to celebrate Christmas as a separate holiday on December 25, it was accepted by the Pope of Roman Julia I. The church fathers believed that on December 25, he historically more corresponds to the day of the appearance of God and wanted to create counterweight to the pagan celebration, which was noted by the people in those times.
From Constantinople, the tradition of celebrating Christmas on December 25 was distributed over the Orthodox East. The difference in the dates of the holiday appeared in Orthodox and Catholics after the Roman Catholic Church of the calendar reform, which took place for the 1582nd year.
History of celebrations in the territory of the Russian Federation
It is known that in Russia it was customary to celebrate the celebration with the baptism of Prince Vladimir, who had to be at the end of the X century. Christmas celebrated on December 25th. In the Soviet Union, the holiday of Christmas was banned, it was impossible to celebrate it. In 1935, due to some changes in state policy, Christmas began to celebrate as a secular celebration of the New Year on January 1.
In 1991, the tradition of celebrating Christmas, as if the newborn, Phoenix, rebelled out of the ashes. In the winter of 1990, the Supreme Council of the RSFSR ruled that Christmas Holiday would be considered a day off. Since then, January 7 is a non-working day.
When Christmas in Russia is celebrated on January 6 or 7 - this issue is asked by many Russians, especially on the eve of this big holiday. In order to understand how the date of the Orthodox falls out the date of the birth of Christ, you need to turn to the Great Christmas Post.
The date of the Nativity of Christ does not change, it is the same every year. This day comes immediately at the end of a forty-day post, which Christians began in November 2019.
When Christmas celebrates Christmas in 2020
Christmas Christ is one of the main holidays of Christianity. Every year this event is celebrated on the same day, immediately at the end of the Christmas Sortiest Fast.
Find out when Christmas is not hard. It is necessary to count from the beginning of the post, and it begins on November 28, 40 days - it ends the post and immediately begins the celebration of the birth of Christ. It falls this holiday every year on January 7th. That is why I will remember this date very easy. Sewing Christmas Day in Orthodox calendars, which are sold at every corner.
For many Russians, Christmas is a big holiday. That is why January 7, 2020 is a day off. Throughout Russia, Christmas fairs are opening during this period, there are folk festivities with dances and contests.
Believers are necessarily visited by the Church on this day in order to defend the service and pray the Lord about salvation and health. After the house, the table is covered, the name of the guests and fun celebrate the birth of Christ.
That Russia celebrates January 6, 2020
Orthodox Christians comes to an end to the end of a big post, which ends with Merry Christmas. Russians begin to prepare for this holiday on January 6 - this day is called a Christmas tree.
According to the church rules, the Christmas Eve is still a post, you can take food only after the first star appeared in the sky, which is noticing the world about the birth of Christ. The same star pointed out the Way to the Newborn Savior.
On Christmas Eve morning from morning to evening, it is customary to prepare different dishes, thus prepare for the main holiday. In the old days, people went to rank January 6, in the evening to relatives and acquaintances. This tradition is alive and in our time. January 7 sing christmas songs, glorifying the birth of Christ.
According to surveys, 85% of Russians know about the Christmas post, but not everyone is observed. Many Russians also heard about Christmas Eve - a day that comes before Christmas. However, the majority celebrates on January 7, many without a hike to church in the family circle.
In Russia, on January 6, Christmas fairs are opening on, New Year's festivities continue, which smoothly go to Christmas and will last until January 12, 2020. However, officially, all people come out immediately after Christmas.
Why in Russia Christmas celebrates January 7
Nobody knows the exact date of birth of Jesus Christ. Even the Bible is silent about it. Despite this, Orthodox Christians celebrate this day every year on January 7th.
Christmas - ancient Christian holiday. He appeared even during the disciples of Christ. This holiday pointed in his writings in the II century Clement Alexandria. Despite the fact that the exact date of the Savior's Birth of the Savior is unknown, nevertheless it was made to celebrate this day on December 25 in the old style, but when changing the calendar, Christmas fell on January 7. On this day, the birth of Christ is the celebrated four churches - Russian, Georgian, Serbian and Jerusalem. Also, Christmas on January 7, monasteries are celebrated, who live in the Julian calendar.
The difference in the date of the celebration on December 25 and January 7 speaks of different yields. There is a Gregorian calendar, which appeared in Europe in 1918 and the Julian on which the Russian Orthodox Church lives. In connection with different souls, the difference between the holidays is 13 days.
The first 330 years in the history of the Christian faith due to its persecution Nativity did not celebrate. And only in the IV century, the Roman emperor Konstantin Great was allowed by Christians openly confess their faith and build church of Christmas. Sincere time, this day began to be honored as a great event. However, since the XVI century, the whole Christian world was divided and noted this holiday at different times. Catholics - December 25, and Orthodox - January 7.
In Russia, Christmas began to celebrate after the introduction of Christianity - in the second century, and since those times this holiday began on the night of December 25th. But with a change in the Yuliansky calendar, the date of the celebration was changed to Gregorian. It is known that the modern calendar, called the Gregorian (new style), introduced Pope Grigory XIII in 1582, replacing the Julian calendar (old style), applied from 45 centuries to our era.
In this regard, it turned out that part of the Christian world, which included not only the Russian, but also Georgian, Jerusalem and Serbian Orthodox church, as well as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church also celebrates this day on December 25, but still in old style - Julian.
The change of Julian calendar in the XVI century was initially touched by Catholic countries, later - Protestant. In Russia, the Gregorian Soulship was introduced after the 1917 revolution, namely - February 14, 1918. However, the Russian Orthodox Church, retaining tradition, continues to live and celebrate Christian holidays in the Julian calendar.
Development of the iconography of the Nativity of Christ
Human desire to portray the main events of their life takes their origins from primitive tribes. Therefore, such an event as the birth of the Savior was an important milestone in the life of people. In the first Christian images of Christmas, Christmas looked in the usual drawing, where they portrayed Nursery with a baby and tendered over him by the Virgin, as well as righteous Joseph and Angels, shepherds and Magi, donkey and oxa or cow.
The oldest archaeological artifacts found in Christian sarcophagas, in the form of the first iconography on silver ampoules, which poured oil consecrated in Palestine, are that confirmation. And since the VI century, the same iconography of the Nativity of Christ has already been formed, which will remain until the XXI century.
The Byzantine Iconography of the Nativity of Christ includes three plan: the top is "the sky", the center is "the connection of the sky and the earth", and the bottom - the "Earth". Old Russian Iconography, many centuries following the Byzantine tradition, and in the XVII century borrowed a manner of Western European painting.
The meaning of some characters in the iconography of the Nativity of Christ
Against the background of the sky, a bright Bethlehem star in the form of a ball flash concerning the peak of a mountain with a cave symbolize the expression: "Christmas is the sky on earth." Since Christ's birth, the sky became an open person, meaning that the path to the sky is open and in this way you can get closer to God, thanks to the desire of a human soul up to the top.
Often in iconography use images of the will and donkey are images of two worlds - Israeli and pagan, to save which the Lord came to the world.
The shape of the nurse, resembling the shape of the coffin as symbolic: "Christ was born into the world to die for him and resurrect for him." The shepherds and pagans of Magi also have their own role in the iconography, through which the Most High appeared to the world: "From now on, every person can find his way to God."
Christmas of Christ on the canvases of old masters
The theme of the Nativity of Christ, with its relevance, could not affect the works of artists of various Christian countries. Especially rich in religious plots about the birth of the Savior Western European painting.
Philippino Lippi was one of the first Italian artists who used the landscape in the iconography of Christmas. Madonna with the angels flying from heaven worship the newborn the Savior in the meadow, covered with flowers, which fenced the hedge and symbolizes Paradise.
Italian Paolo Veronese using the biblical plot, depicted a magnificent and luxurious atmosphere, where we see expensive fabrics, feathers, drape, elements of ancient architecture. All canvas is saturated with the solemnity of the iconic event.
Bartolome Murilo The sacrament of the birth of a small Jesus portrayed in the form of genre scene, where
in contrasts of light and shadow, the shepherds are worshiping. According to the pushing of theologians, these ordinary people will become spiritual shepherds and the first evangelists.
A bright light coming from a baby who illuminates Madonna and Angels, enhances the feeling of his divinity. And singing angels, holding a sheet with notes, betray the canvas Yana Calcar solemnity.
Recently, disputes are often conducted on the account of the date of celebration of the Great Church Holiday. It is due to the fact that after the transition to the Gregorian calendar, Orthodox Christians began to celebrate it on January 7, and the Catholics follow the date - December 25. A proposal for the definition of one day will contribute to Europe.
Why there are two recognized dates denoted by the Christmas, because a person can have only one birthday? There is no trick, and the main reason is related to the transition to another calendar, which is not all recognized. Catholics and Protestants continue to adhere to the old tradition. No matter how the dates were not changed, depending on the style used, the holiday will always mark.
Argued about the correctness of the selected date - it is not worth it. It is better to deepen in history and figure out what exactly it is connected with. Consider traditions and explore the signs working in this bright day. We know little about this date, the only thing that everyone understands is a family holiday, so it is necessary to meet it in the circle of relatives, and other other rules that I have previously wrote about.
Why Catholics celebrate Christmas on December 25, and Orthodox January 7
It differs not date of the celebration, but the calendar used. The parishioners celebrating Christmas on the old style - December 25, use the modern Gregorian calendar. Others also remember the birth of the Son of God's 17 December, but in Julian style, and starting from the 20th century, the date began to come on January 7.
So it was not always and the number may change again, because the difference between calendars is gradually growing, as it is a variable value. Julian calendar, developed by a group of astronomers, and used by Julia Caesar includes 365 days. The report begins on January 1, while at the leap year, coming every 4 years - 366 days. But, this calendar was inaccurate, because in 128 years old, the day is going.
In 1582, there were changes, and the calendar was changed more accurate - Gregory, named after Pope Gregory. According to the decree in 1582, after October 4, it was immediately coming on October 15. The refusal of the Julian calendar first affected Catholic, and then Protestant countries.
In Russia, the Grigorian calendar introduced a lot later, already during the times of Soviet power. But, out of 15 carcuphal churches on the old style there are 4, namely: Serbian, Russian, Georgian and Jerusalem and Afonov monastery. The remaining 10 churches work along the Novyulian calendar, which preserves its relevance until 2800.
After that, an error in a step per day will increase, and in the 22nd century, the descendants will cope the Christmas of Christ not 7, but the 8th, although the date itself remains unchanged. According to the church who accepted the Gregorian calendar, the only true and justified decision - the remaining 4 churches and the Afonov monastery are moving to this style.
Attention! What is the number of christmas christmas - not so important, the main thing is to treat this holiday with understanding, abide by its traditions.
All about celebration January 7, Christmas of Christ
Christmas is a bright holiday of peace and good, because it is noted that it is not pompous and with a scope, but rather modestly, in a warm family or friendly atmosphere. Traditionally, on this day, they were decorated at home and temples with conifers, pine or fir branches, the Vertpets built. What is the vertel - the same Khlev, in which the baby appeared, who is God's Son Jesus. In all churches, worship is held.
Before that day, believers observed a strict 40-day post to purify thoughts and get rid of sins. On this day, parishioners are talking, prepare a festive table. The day is carried out in a circle of family, close and relatives. There is some unknown tradition - visit the Christmas senior parents, grandparents. But, the main thing is not a table and a company, but a purity and body, because every believer in God the Christian should visit the temple, pronounce prayer.
The service in the church comes all day January 6 and goes into the evening and night, and then the morning. By tradition, a large dining table was covered right in the church, the clergymen were gathered after prayers, fed the elderly and lonely old people, the poor.
January 7 Christmas on what calendar
Orthodox churches: Russian Orthodox Church, the Afonov Monastery, Catholic and Orthodox communities adhere to the old, Julian calendar, because the Christmas of Christ is coming for them later. The holiday is coping on January 7, and over a day, the multi-day Christmas post ends, the Christmas Eve comes.
Is it correct? Unlike the countries of Europe, in Russia, the holidays New Year's Eve falls on the days of a strict post. This brings its limitations, but truly believers are ready to put up with this.
Signs and traditions for Christmas
Signs and customs applied at Christmas, may vary depending on the region. This is due to the habits of people and their shared stuff. The holiday of Christmas highlights a special meaning - a lot of remarkable occurs these days. Consider the main chains associated with the weather:
- large snow cover on Earth or a strong blizzard on January 7 - to early warming, leaflets on trees will appear in March;
- many stars in the sky on Christmas Eve - wait for a good harvest;
- the holiday fell to the new moon - the crop can not wait.
There are signs related to the day of the week for which the holiday fell:
- monday - Warm and Yield Summer;
- tuesday - a year favorable for marriage, the lives of newlyweds will be a "honeymoon";
- wednesday - a good year for fishermen and hunters;
- thursday - to a protracted winter;
- friday - Short and Cold Summer;
- saturday - bulk crop of grain and legumes;
- sunday - year will be very favorable in all spheres.
There are traditions and signs that communicate with a festive table:
- The main dish is Cute, because all the hostesses try to cook it right and tasty. If the nose does not work, it will be fine - possible losses.
- On the table there should be bread and cigor - to sufficiency and well-being.
- The meal begin after the first star appeared on the sky.
- Before sit down at the table, you need to open the entrance door for several minutes - so everything is bad from the house.
- For the Christmas table, everyone should be satisfied, it is necessary to file everything that is cooked.
Attention! The christmas in the morning of Christians made a simple rite, allowing to know whether the coming year will be "healthy". To do this, in the morning, the chickens were stretched by a handful of grains and a glass of water. If the bird first will be favorable, it will be favorable, it will decide to drink the water - wait for diseases.
Another sign - do not rush to upset, the shedding something accidentally on the table. Nothing bad because of this will not happen, on the contrary, a small lack promises well-being.
Where the christmas celebrates
Great religious festival is celebrated in many countries, but traditions are often different, and not even within the country, but within the city or in a particular family. The only thing that remains unchanged is a family holiday, therefore, even the youth refuses noisy festivities in favor of a secluded "Supper" with relatives.
The obligatory ritual is to visit the temple, because this is a spiritual holiday. A person pre-cleans the soul and body by compliance with strictly post, and then confess and rolls.
For Christians, this holiday is more important than the new year, because all its traditions are observed unquestioned. The whole family is going to have a festive table on Christmas Eve - January 6, waiting for the appearance of the first star, tries to beats.
Who celebrates Christmas on January 7
- Russian;
- Serbian;
- Georgian;
- Jerusalem.
- Russia, Belarus and Ukraine;
- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova;
- Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
The rest of Orthodox countries: Bulgaria, Romania and Greece, celebrate Christmas on December 25, because they switched to a new style.
Attention! In Moldova, many parishioners of the Romanian Orthodox Church, because December 25 is considered a festive (weekend) during the day. This rule applies to Belarus - there, weekends in honor of Christmas - 25.12 and 7.01 annually.
Why Christmas celebrate December 25 and January 7
Pope Gregory XiiiiUdil Grigorian calendar in 1582. He became a worthy replacement for Juliansky, who did not exactly give exactly the amendment on the leap year, because of which the lag in time was copied. He gradually adopted many European countries, and the calendar became finally true in the 20th century.
The Russian empire came to the revolution in 1917 with the old calendar, but the existing power corrected it - January 26, 1918 was approved, the so-called, "new style".
The Russian Orthodox Church has not recognized such a transition and retained the "old style". Since 1923, Christmas began to celebrate twice in different countries: Catholics January 24-25, and Orthodox - January 6-7.
What can and what is impossible to christmas
Christmas is a religious holiday, because on this day it is customary to handle prayer to God. Clean it about mercy, condescension and favor. If possible, parishioners can visit the service, light the candle and read the prayer for the health of loved ones. Upon returning from service, the candle should be lit at home and install from the icon. The table is better to sit down after prayer.
The church never imposed prohibitions for labor, contrary to general opinion, especially if sewing, knitting and embroidery is not a hobby, but full-fledged work. There is another controversial ban. You can hear that the church allows you to guess 1, 14 and 19, but it is not correct. Watch the future without kettling is not permanently.
Attention! The main number of prohibitions is nothing more than fiction and the church of their existence refutes.
Not prohibited at this time shopping hiking. It is believed that large or nice shopping made at Christmas not only raise the mood, but also help to improve the well-being of the family. Do not refuse alms, but it is necessary to serve it only to people who causing confidence.
The main bans for Christmas associated with the signs:
- It is impossible to give money in debt - the whole year will be held in monetary concerns.
- Rugan and scandals are not allowed to any religious holiday. Quarrels, especially between close relatives, take away the chance to save the soul from their ancestors.
- Divination is a pagan rite prohibited by the Church. Do not darken them holy day.
Another ban await that has no clear justification and explanation. According to him, it is impossible to drink clean water for Christmas, better if it is a drink: juice, umbor, tea. According to one of the versions, a person who has spilled water will spend the whole year in need and illness.
The traditions of the celebration of the Nativity of Christ remain unchanged, despite the fact that the holiday is celebrated in different countries in two dates - December 25 and January 7. This is due using the church of various calendars - Julian and Gregorian. The Russian Orthodox Church refused to go to a new style and did not support the initiative distributed by Catholics and Protestants. How true is it is difficult to judge.
