Quick Answer: When Is Christmas In Greece Celebrated?

What date do Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas?

Most people in the Greek Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas on December 25th. But some still use the Julian calendar and so celebrate Christmas on 7th January! Some Greek Catholics also celebrate on January 7th.

Who celebrates Christmas on January 7th?

Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7. The celebrations in Orthodox countries began midnight on ” Christmas Eve”, by which we mean January 6. The reason these dates vary so much from what we know as Christmas is down to a difference in calendars.

What season is Christmas in Greece?

In Greece, the Christmas season is in full swing by December 6th, the Feast of St. Nicholas, when presents are exchanged, and lasts through January 6th, the Feast of Epiphany.

What is the reason for Christmas in Greece?

Everyone in Greece is fully aware of the beliefs and the story of Christ. People of all ages understand that the true reason for celebrating Christmas, is to celebrate the birth of Christ and is not just about exchanging gifts. On Christmas Eve the traditional Greek meal is stuffed Turkey roasted in the oven.

Do Greek Orthodox celebrate Little Christmas?

Orthodox Christians in the United States celebrate Christmas a little bit later than everyone else, on January 7. This date falls on December 25 in the Julian Calendar, which existed before the Gregorian Calendar.

Why do Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas on December 25?

So the Orthodox Church rejected the Gregorian calendar and continued to rely on the Julian calendar. Known as the revised Julian calendar, it was adopted by several Orthodox churches after the council, including the churches of Greece, Cyprus, and Romania. Those churches now celebrate Christmas on December 25.

When was Jesus actually born?

But nobody really knows exactly when Jesus was born. Some scholars think that he was born between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C., based partly on the biblical story of Herod the Great.

Is January 7th Christmas?

Many Christians celebrate Jesus’ birthday on December 25 but there are some who hold tradition by observing the date on January 7. Christmas on January 7 is also known as Old Christmas Day.

Is January 6th a Christmas?

More than a third of Orthodox Christians. The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6, along with the Epiphany (the revelation that Jesus was God’s son). In the second century, the Resurrection became a separate feast and the Epiphany began to be celebrated in eastern churches on January 6.

How long does Christmas last in Greece?

Traditionally the Christmas holiday period lasts 12 days in Greece. There are many customs associated with the ” twelve day of Christmas,” some very old and others relatively recent, like the decorated tree and the turkey on the Christmas-day table.

Does Greece have a Santa Claus?

The Greek Santa Claus is known as “Ayios Vassileios” in Greek. In Greece, Santa Claus is coming on the 1st of January and not on the 25th of December. Greeks honor Ayios Vasileios on January the 1st as well as on this day people called Vassilis or Vassiliki celebrate their name day.

What food do they eat in Greece at Christmas?

9 Greek Christmas Food Traditions

• 01 of 09. Baklava Recipe. The Spruce.
• Egg-Lemon-Chicken-Rice Soup. The Spruce.
• 03 of 09. Yiaprakia Stuffed Cabbage.
• 04 of 09. Christopsomo Bread.
• Pork Recipes. batuhan toker / Getty Images.
• 06 of 09. Melomakarona Cookies.
• 07 of 09. Kourabiethes Cookies.
• 08 of 09. Karythopita Walnut Spice Cake.

What is the main symbol of Christmas in Greece?

The karavaki is the symbol of Christmas in Greece. After all Greece is country that has a rich tradition of seafaring and a deep appreciation for its seas. This is a Christmas tsoureki. Tsoureki is actually a traditional sweet bread baked during Easter.