Orthodox Christmas Day

Orthodox Christmas, observed by a significant number of Eastern Orthodox Christians, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Being central to the Orthodox liturgical year, the celebration is characterised by solemn religious services, communal meals, and charitable activities. The focal point of Orthodox Christmas observance is the Divine Liturgy, a service of the Eastern Orthodox Church embodying scripture readings, hymns, and Holy Communion. The Orthodox Christmas feast is characteristically vegan or vegetarian, known as "fasting meals," symbolising spiritual preparation and purification.

The roots of Orthodox Christmas can be traced to the early Christian communities of Eastern Europe and the Byzantine Empire. In the UK, Orthodox Christianity is a minority, comprised mainly of Greek, Russian, and Cypriot communities. Despite being a minority, the presence of the Orthodox Christmas is quite noticeable, for instance, in parts of London like Bayswater, which hosts St Sophia's Cathedral known for its vibrant Orthodox Christmas celebrations.

In the UK, Orthodox Christmas is observed on the 7th of January, in line with the Julian calendar— 13 days after the 25th of December, which is when Christmas is celebrated by most Western Christian churches using the Gregorian calendar. The observance usually includes attending the Divine Liturgy in the morning, followed by feasting and festivities. The importance of family gatherings and charity is emphasised, mirroring the wider British Christmas traditions of family and goodwill. Thus, the Orthodox Christmas observance in the UK is a blend of longstanding religious traditions and the multicultural fabric of British society.