Topic: Russian Church
Sunday is Christmas Eve according to the Julian calendar used by Orthodox Christians.
It’s a day of strict fasting when nothing except “sochivo”, a special Christmas Eve dish prepared from wheat grains, rice, beans, peas or vegetables, is allowed, hence the name of the day – Sochelnik.
In his Christmas message, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill urged believers to be merciful and tolerant to others and reminded them of the love that God bestows on all his lambs.
The Patriarch will lead a Christmas Eve liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow tonight.
Celebrating Christmas on January 7th together with the Russian Church will be the Church of Jerusalem and the Serb and Georgian Churches.
Western Christians who use the Gregorian calendar celebrated Christmas on December 25.
© Voice of Russia, Interfax. 06 January, 2013
Updated: Sunday, 6 January 2013 11:55 AM EST
Permalink | Share This Post