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Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve

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Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve


06.01.2017

Photo: Icon workshop of Holy Trinity Church of Kursk Today, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve and prepare for Christmas, reports IA «Interfax».

The name of the day comes from a special dish made of cereals and honey prepared for the feast. Besides them, one can have beans, peas and vegetables today.

There is an old tradition according to which one can only have meals after the first star in the sky appears. It is a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which appeared in the sky when Jesus Christ was born.

Today the Christmas Eve is celebrated by the Georgian, Jerusalemite, Polish and Serbian Orthodox churches, too. The Catholic Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December.

On the morning of 6 January, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ Kirill headed the traditional Basil the Great religious service held at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow. The main Christmas religious service which starts at 11 p.m. is to be held there as well.

It is to be recalled that the Moscow Underground will operate till 2 a.m. today and ground public transportation will run till 3 a.m.

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