The Feast of the Nativity of Christ, which falls annually on January 7 according to modern chronology, is one of the most significant celebrations in the Orthodox Church. Christians await this event with special reverence, preparing themselves for great spiritual joy by fasting. Immediately the day before the Nativity of Jesus Christ, the main prefeast begins - Christmas Eve.
Two Christmas Eve can be seen in Orthodox Church calendars, both of which fall in the second winter month: January. These are Christmas Eve and Epiphany Eve. The very etymology of the naming of this day indicates the pious tradition of Christians on Christmas Eve to keep a strict fast, tasting juicy. Sochivo is a special dish made from wheat with the addition of various sweets: honey, dried fruits, raisins, and sweets.
Dating Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve before the holiday of the birth of the Savior of the world falls on January 6th. A Christian spends this day with special trepidation and sincere mood, because there is very little time left before the bright holiday. Some Orthodox Christians adhere to the practice of abstaining from food on January 6 until the first star appears in the evening sky. However, this tradition is not spelled out in the church charter, but it is a special reverent mood of the Russian person before Christmas.
Divine service on Christmas Eve
An Orthodox Christian tries to attend a service in the church on Christmas Eve. Church services on January 6th are very beautiful and symbolic. The service begins in the morning with the Tsar's Hours. During the time of the Byzantine Empire, the emperor and his family prayed on this watch, which is reflected in the name. This is followed by the succession of pictorial and Vespers with the reading of special prophetic passages from the Old Testament, announcing to the world the joy of the future birth of the Messiah. For the evening liturgy, the Liturgy is sent (with the exception of the days when Christmas Eve falls on Saturday and Sunday: then Vespers is celebrated at the end of the Liturgy, and the royal hours are transferred to Friday).
After the end of the liturgy, the clergy go to the analogion, located in the center of the church, on which the icon of the holiday is located. The choir begins to sing the troparion of the birth of Jesus Christ. This ends the morning service. The next service begins at night, announcing to people the joy of the Savior's Incarnation.
