Anybody celebrate Ukranian Christmas? Why does the date differ from our Christmas?

[Sheree Bobbins]

Does the date have something to do with Epiphany? Or do they use a different calendar???

 

[QT Pooh]

I don't know about the Ukraine, but many countries do celebrate Christmas on January 6.

 

[Towncrier]

It has to do with the differences between the Julian and Gregorian calendars.

From the Orthodox Church in America website:

Why are there two days for celebrating Christmas?

Christmas is always celebrated on December 25! But which day is December 25?

Some Orthodox celebrate Christmas on December 25 of the older calendar ("Julian Calendar"), some celebrate on December 25 of the revised calendar (secular or "Gregorian Calendar"). December 25 in the Julian Calendar is January 7 of the Gregorian Calendar.

The Julian Calendar has a leap year every 4 years. The current secular calendar (Gregorian Calendar) does not have a leap year in those years ending in "00" where the hundreds-part is not divisible by 5 -- and thus 1900, 2100, 2200, ... are not leap years. In both calendars the year 2000 is a leap year.

The Gregorian Calendar (sometimes called the Revised Julian Calendar) was adopted as the secular calendar in 1585 in parts of Western Europe, in 1753 in England and North America, and 1923 in Russia.

George Washington (1789-1797) was born on February 11 old calendar (i.e., before 1753). That is why his birthday is celebrated on February 22 ("Presidents Day", new calendar). In his times the difference between the old and new calendars was 11 days.

The two days when Christmas is celebrated drift apart an extra three days every 400 years. December 25 in the Julian Calendar becomes January 8 in the secular (Gregorian Calendar) starting in the year 2100.

The Julian Calendar is named after Julius Caesar. The Gregorian Calendar is named after Pope Gregory.

 

[Towncrier]

Another explanation is presented on the Religious Facts website:

In the early Eastern church, the main winter holiday was Epiphany, which commemorated both the birth and baptism of Christ on January 6. This date may have been derived from a calculation based on an assumed date of crucifixion of April 6 coupled with the ancient belief that prophets died on the same day as their conception. The baptism of Christ was initially the more important event in the East, but January 6 became connected more with the nativity of Christ by the later 4th century.

Gotta love Google!!!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I think Towncrier is correct - it has to do with the 12 days of Christmas (whatever that means!)

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I think Towncrier is correct - it has to do with the 12 days of Christmas (whatever that means!)

The Orthodox Church in America website has the correct information as to why Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of Christ in January. The Religious Facts website has the correct information about the connection of January 6 and the baptism of Jesus. They are saying the same thing -- the Religious Facts website just doesn't go into the mathematical and historical detail as to why January 6 is celebrated by the Orthodox Christians as Christmas.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Thank-you Towncrier et al. for your education. I was feeling foolish the other day because I didn't know exactly what Epiphany was about (Visit of the 3 kings to the baby Jesus). But I can see that this area is complex.

 

[jahexom]

We always keep our tree up until Eastern Orthodox Christmas (Jan. 7) because its my birthday and we can stretch Christmas out a little longer. Our church celebrates Epiphany on the 6th with a special service.

Jen