Under the Star of Bethlehem

The Orthodox celebrated one of the main holidays in the church calendar, which begins the calendar year and ends a forty-day fast - the Nativity of Christ. The PMR Supreme Council Chairman Alexander Korshunov congratulated the clergy and all believers on the holiday.

Festive services were held in all Orthodox churches in Pridnestrovie on the night of January 7. The service was led by Archbishop of Tiraspol and Dubossary Sawa in the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which also celebrates its patronal feast day on this day.

All churches decorate festive icons with white flowers for the Nativity of Christ. This is a tradition. It is generally accepted that white is the color of the holiday. Christmas services are considered one of the most beautiful in Orthodoxy. Priests wear white vestments on this day. Psalms are sung in churches in which the birth of Christ is glorified. A religious procession is held during the night service in addition.

The holiday does not end with one day, it will continue until the very end of Christmastide, which will end with another important holiday – the Epiphany. All this time, almost two weeks, is a time of joy and, most importantly, a time of good deeds.

The church began celebrating Christmas back in the 4th century. Candles and lamps are burning in Orthodox churches, and a small cardboard star decorated with lights shines above the nativity scene at each church on the night of January 6-7 since then.

Believers congratulate each other on this important event in church history after the festive service and wish them well-being and happiness. Christmas has its own special words of greeting, like on the Easter. The Christmas holiday canon, which is performed on this day in churches, is based on the Canon of Gregory the Theologian.  

Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Alexander Korshunov congratulated Archbishop of Tiraspol and Dubossary Sawa, and all believers with him on such an important day for every Orthodox person.