Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th. This might seem odd to us, but it is very close to Epiphany (January 6th), otherwise known as "the twelfth day of Christmas ", when the three kings reached Bethlehem and presented their gifts to Jesus. However, the actual reason for the discrepancy is that Eastern Orthodox Christian holidays follow the Julian calendar, rather than the Gregorian calendar now widely used. For this reason, Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate New Year's Day on January 14th.
Like the Catholic custom of Lent, there is fasting up until the holiday, and during this fast period, adherents must eat no animal products except for fish. I have shared some dinners over the fasting period, and we've been doing a lot of pasta and veggies and rice with fish, fish, fish. Fortunately, I like fish, so no problem. Also during the fasting period, it s forbidden to drink alcohol and to have intimate relations. And this goes on for weeks! It can be pretty tough, I'm sure.
My Serbian friends will be very busy in preparation for the religious holiday. They will roast a whole pig on a spit the night before, but it will not be consumed until dawn, or shortly before. I'll bet they can hardly wait to have meat again! There will also be a church service on their Christmas Eve, January 6, as well as on the holiday itself. If you have any friends who are Eastern Orthodox Christian, wish them a Merry Christmas next week!
Image of Serbian E.O.C. church from Pixabay https://pixabay.com/en/st-sava-serbian-church-349912/
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