The word “Christmas” literally means “Christ’s Mass,” Mass being the principal service of the Church commonly called the Divine Liturgy in the Orthodox Tradition; therefore, Christmas refers to the Divine Liturgy served on the Feast day of our Lord’s birth in the flesh from the Virgin Mary (December 25). One cannot technically or properly celebrate Christmas unless one prepares for and participates in the Divine Liturgy – by definition, receiving Holy Communion – on the Feast of Christ’s birth. Already in this simple explanation, we realize how … [Read more...]

by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher The Orthodox practice of the Christian Faith includes fasting as an essential aspect of its tradition.  The earliest Christian writing outside of the New Testament states: “And your fastings, let them not be with the hypocrites; for they fast on the second and fifth days of the week (i.e., Monday and Thursday; see Lk. 18:12), but you, fast on the fourth day and on the preparation” (i.e., Wednesday and Friday; Didache, 8.1; ca. 100 A.D.).  Likewise, Christians always fasted for a season connected with the yearly … [Read more...]

by Fr. Jonathan Cholcher In the Western, Roman Catholic Christian tradition, the Feast of our Lord’s Birth on December 25 is followed by the Feast of Epiphany on January 6, sometimes called the Gentile Christmas as it commemorates the visit of the Magi to worship Christ (Matt. 2:1-12). Thus there are 12 days between these two feasts, the 12 days of Christmas. In the Orthodox tradition which precedes the Western reckoning, the Feast of Christmas is likewise followed by another great feast on January 6 called Theophany (also, Epiphany), or … [Read more...]