Why did Greece Change Christmas date?

The reason these dates are different is down to the calendars being used to calculate the dates. But, in much of the Soviet bloc and Middle East, the Julian calendar is still used. This means that there is a 13-day gap between the two calendars, so Christmas Day in those nations falls on what we now know as 7 January.

Why does Greece celebrate Christmas?

Christmas in Greece is a very religious holiday. Everyone in Greece is fully aware of the beliefs and the story of Christ. People of all ages understand that the true reason for celebrating Christmas, is to celebrate the birth of Christ and is not just about exchanging gifts.

Why dont Greeks celebrate Christmas in January?

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who many Christians believe is the son of God. Christmas is still on December 25 in the Julian calendar so the January 7 date is only valid between 1901 and 2100 The Gregorian date for Orthodox Christmas will be January 8 in 2101 if the Julian calendar is still used.

Why is Greek Orthodox Christmas different?

Christmas falls on a different day in the Orthodox Church because they still observe the traditional Julian calendar, which has the original dates for Christian celebrations before the Gregorian calendar was introduced. This means that, technically, Orthodox churches still observe Christmas on December 25.

Why is Orthodox Christmas different than Catholic?

Firstly, the difference between Orthodox and Catholic Christmas is quite simply an issue about dates. Therefore, while the West celebrates the birth of Christ on the 25th December (according to the Gregorian Calendar), the Orthodox Church, in accordance with the Julian Calendar, celebrate Christmas on the 7th January.

How did Christmas start in Greece?

Many Christmas traditions have roots in ancient Greece In December, the Ancient Greeks celebrated the birth of Dionysus, calling him “Savior” and divine “infant.” According to Greek mythology, his mother was a mortal woman, Semele, and his father was Zeus, the king of the Gods.

What is Santa called in Greece?

Ayios Vassileios
The Greek Santa Claus is known as “Ayios Vassileios” in Greek. He is like the father of Christmas; also an old man with a white beard, who is wearing a red cape.

When did Greek Orthodox change Christmas?

1923
So the Orthodox Church rejected the Gregorian calendar and continued to rely on the Julian calendar. It stayed that way for centuries, and the calendar drift continued for Orthodox churches. By 1923, there was a 13-day difference between the two calendars, putting Orthodox Christmas 13 days after December 25.

How do the Greeks celebrate Christmas?

Christmas In Greece: How Do Greeks Celebrate It? Friday, December 14, 2018 admin Christmas is considered the major festivity of the year, the most sacred and important. As most of the Greeks are Orthodox, they passionately celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25 and associate a strong religious meaning to this day.

Why do we celebrate Christmas on 25th December?

December 25 is the traditional anniversary of the birth of Christ, but most scholars are unsure about the true date for Christ’s birth. The decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25 was made sometime during the fourth century by church bishops in Rome.

Why do Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on January 7?

Very few Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth, described in the Christian Bible. This date works to the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly observed. Those follow the old calendar.

Why did Rome celebrate Christ’s birth during the winter solstice?

The church leaders in Rome decided to celebrate Christ’s birth during the winter solstice in an attempt to Christianize these popular pagan celebrations. For the most part their efforts failed to make the people conform, and the heathen festivities continued.