Why Russia Celebrates Christmas on January 7
The History, Calendar Difference, and Orthodox Christian Tradition Explained
While much of the world celebrates Christmas on December 25, Russia observes Christmas on January 7 every year. This difference often creates confusion and curiosity, especially for people unfamiliar with Orthodox Christian traditions. The reason, however, is deeply rooted in history, religion, and calendar systems, rather than a simple change of date.
This article explains in detail why Russia celebrates Christmas on January 7, the role of calendars, and how religious traditions shaped this practice.
The Core Reason: Julian Calendar vs Gregorian Calendar
The main reason Russia celebrates Christmas on January 7 is that the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, not the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world today.
What Is the Julian Calendar?
- Introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE
- Was the standard calendar in Europe for centuries
- Gradually became inaccurate due to small calculation errors in leap years
What Is the Gregorian Calendar?
- Introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII
- Corrected inaccuracies in the Julian calendar
- Adopted by most Western countries and churches
At present, the Julian calendar is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar.
➡️ Therefore:
- December 25 (Julian calendar)
- Falls on January 7 (Gregorian calendar)
This is why Orthodox Christmas in Russia is observed on January 7.
Why the Russian Orthodox Church Uses the Julian Calendar
The Russian Orthodox Church chose to retain the Julian calendar for religious observances because:
- It preserves ancient Christian traditions
- Liturgical dates remain consistent with early Christianity
- Changing calendars could disrupt religious cycles and fasts
- The Church values continuity over convenience
Even today, major Orthodox feasts—including Christmas and Easter—are calculated using the Julian system.
Russia’s Civil Calendar Change in 1918
After the Russian Revolution, the Soviet government adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1918 for civil and administrative purposes to align with the rest of the world.
However:
- The Church was separate from the state
- Religious institutions were allowed to keep their calendar
- Orthodox Christians continued observing holy days according to Julian dates
As a result:
- New Year → January 1 (Gregorian calendar)
- Christmas → January 7 (Julian calendar)
This dual-calendar system continues today.
Role of Orthodox Christian Theology
In Orthodox Christianity:
- Christmas follows a 40-day Nativity Fast
- The fast begins on November 28 (Julian calendar)
- Christmas marks the end of fasting and spiritual preparation
Keeping the Julian calendar ensures:
- Traditional fasting periods remain unchanged
- Religious rhythm stays aligned with centuries-old practices
- Sacred dates are not altered by political reforms
Countries That Celebrate Christmas on January 7
Russia is not alone. Other countries and Orthodox communities that observe Christmas on January 7 include:
- Serbia
- Georgia
- Belarus
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Some Orthodox churches in Ukraine and the Middle East
Each follows the Julian calendar for religious observances.
How Christmas Is Celebrated in Russia
Russian Christmas is generally more religious than commercial.
Key traditions include:
- Attending midnight church services on January 6–7
- Fasting until the first star appears in the sky
- Family gatherings after church
- Traditional foods like kutya (sweet wheat porridge)
- Less emphasis on gifts compared to New Year celebrations
In Russia, New Year is the more festive, gift-centered holiday, while Christmas is spiritual and solemn.
Difference Between Western and Russian Christmas
| Aspect | Western Christmas | Russian Christmas |
|---|---|---|
| Date | December 25 | January 7 |
| Calendar | Gregorian | Julian |
| Focus | Family, gifts, decorations | Religion, fasting, prayer |
| Main Celebration | Christmas | New Year |
Will Russia Ever Change Its Christmas Date?
It is unlikely.
- The Russian Orthodox Church strongly values tradition
- Changing the calendar could affect many religious feasts
- Millions of believers prefer keeping the Julian calendar
For Orthodox Christians, the meaning of Christmas matters more than the date itself.
Conclusion
Russia celebrates Christmas on January 7 because:
- The Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar
- December 25 (Julian) corresponds to January 7 (Gregorian)
- Religious tradition was preserved even after calendar reforms
- Christmas remains a deeply spiritual observance in Russian culture
Understanding this difference highlights how history, faith, and tradition continue to shape global celebrations.
