Orthodox Christmas Day in Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan, a country with a diverse religious landscape, Orthodox Christmas Day is celebrated by the Christian minority, particularly those of the Russian Orthodox Church, on January 7th. This follows the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used in many other parts of the world.

History and Traditions

The roots of Orthodox Christmas are intertwined with Christian traditions. The day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. In Kyrgyzstan, as in other Orthodox countries, traditions include:

• Attending Church Services: Many people attend a special midnight service on Christmas Eve or a church service on Christmas Day.
• Fasting: Leading up to Christmas, there's traditionally a 40-day fast period known as the Nativity Fast or Advent, ending on January 6th.
• Holy Supper: On January 6th, some families may have a traditional "Holy Supper" which includes specific foods and an odd number of dishes.

Modern Celebrations

On Orthodox Christmas Day:

• Family Gatherings: Families come together to celebrate with festive meals.
• Gift-Giving: While less commercialized than in some Western countries, exchanging gifts can be part of the celebration.
• Public Holiday: It is recognized as a public holiday in Kyrgyzstan; thus, government offices and many businesses are closed.

Since Orthodox Christianity is not the majority religion in Kyrgyzstan where Islam predominates (particularly Sunni Islam), Orthodox Christmas is not as widely observed as other national holidays. However, it remains an important religious holiday for members of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations that observe it.