Photo credit: mos.ru (CC BY 4.0)
The Nativity of Christ is celebrated on January, 7, Sunday, by Orthodox believers around the world. Church services and numerous festive events are held in Moscow and Russian regions. This year the holiday fell on the next-to-last day of the long New Year's weekend.
The tradition of celebrating the Nativity of Christ is closely connected with the Bible, which tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. For Christians, this event marked the beginning of the chronology. In Russia, Christmas has been celebrated for many years, the symbol of which is a decorated Christmas tree.
The schedule of Christmas services in Russian churches is based on the schedule of services in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. On January, 6, the celebration of Christmas Eve took place, on Christmas Day the morning liturgy began at nine o'clock, and at 17:00 Great Vespers will be held.
Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill congratulated the believers on the holiday. He recalled that love is the driving force behind divine actions and called for sharing Christmas joy with those who need it.
In Moscow, the Christmas program includes events at 36 venues; the Journey to Christmas festival takes place at VDNKh exhibition center and in the capital's parks. Performances, concerts, master classes, excursions and fairs began on January, 5 and will last until January, 8. Admission to most events is free.
Christmas liturgies will be held in churches in St. Petersburg, and Christmas trees and holiday concerts will be held near some of them on January, 7.
Christmas-themed performances, children's tea parties, performances of classical music, fairs, historical reconstructions, and other events will be held at various city venues.
Russkiy Mir
