Why is Christmas on January 7 called Orthodox
Many believe that Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7, and Catholics — on December 25. But in fact, strictly dividing Christmas into Orthodox and Catholic is not entirely true.
There are two dates. According to the old Julian calendar, which is followed in the Russian Orthodox Church and several other Orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated on the night of January 6-7. On the same day, the event is celebrated by Eastern Rite Catholics.
According to the Gregorian calendar, which replaced the Julian calendar in most countries of the world since the end of the XVI century, Christmas is the night from December 24 to December 25. This date is celebrated in the USA, most countries of Western, Central and Southern Europe — and not only Catholics, but also Protestants who adhere to the Gregorian calendar. And also those Orthodox churches that live according to the New Julian calendar, which now coincides with the Gregorian.
