In pictures: Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas - ORSOLTECH - One The Best

Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Christmas by attending church services.

While the majority of the Christian world celebrates Christmas on December 25, many of the world's 200 million Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on January 7.

This is because they follow the Julian calendar, unlike Christian denominations that follow the Gregorian calendar.

A woman in the Syrian capital, Damascus, receives Holy Communion at the Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church. This is the first Christmas that Syrians have celebrated since the fall of their long-time ruler, former President Bashar al-Assad.

Getty Images A worshiper receives communion during the Christmas Mass at the Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church (Saint Sarkis) in Bab Sharqi in the Old City of Damascus on January 6, 2025. — A woman in the Syrian capital, Damascus, receives Holy Communion at the Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church. This is the first Christmas that Syrians have celebrated since the fall of their long-time ruler, former President Bashar al-Assad.

In Egypt, a priest representing the Coptic Orthodox Church – the largest Christian denomination in the Middle East – walks past worshipers at the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo.

Getty Images A priest leads Orthodox Christmas Eve celebrations at the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo on January 6, 2025. — In Egypt, a priest representing the Coptic Orthodox Church – the largest Christian denomination in the Middle East – walks past worshipers at the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo.

A young worshiper lights a candle during Orthodox Christmas Eve celebrations in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Getty Images A worshiper lights a candle during Orthodox Christmas Eve celebrations at the Russian Orthodox Church in the Gulf emirate of Sharjah on January 6, 2025. — A young worshiper lights a candle during Orthodox Christmas Eve celebrations in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Earlier, believers and religious leaders gathered at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, which is said to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

Getty Images Believers and religious leaders attend the ceremony as Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem leads the day of Orthodox Christmas celebrations at the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in Bethlehem, West Bank, on January 6, 2025. — Earlier, believers and religious leaders gathered at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, which is said to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

Ethiopian worshipers hold candles and sing hymns at Bole Madhanialem Church in Addis Ababa.

Getty Images Worshipers hold candles and sing religious hymns as they gather on the eve of Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas celebrations at Bole Medhanialem Church in Addis Ababa on January 6, — Ethiopian worshipers hold candles and sing hymns at Bole Madhanialem Church in Addis Ababa.

Millions of Russians celebrate Christmas and President Vladimir Putin (left) celebrates the holiday season at St. George Church in Moscow.

EPA Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) attends Christmas Mass at St. George Church in Moscow, Russia, January 06, 2025 — Millions of Russians celebrate Christmas and President Vladimir Putin (left) celebrates the holiday season at St. George Church in Moscow.

Festive decorations can be seen on the streets of Moscow.

People from the Environmental Protection Agency walk past Christmas street decorations in Moscow, Russia, January 6, 2025. — Festive decorations can be seen on the streets of Moscow.

In the Serbian capital, Belgrade, Prince Philip was photographed holding a burning oak branch, or badnjak, in a traditional ceremony.

Getty Images Prince Philip (L) of Serbia attends a ceremonial burning of dried oak branches, the Christmas symbol of Orthodox Christmas Eve, in front of Beli Dvor on January 06, 2025 in Belgrade, Serbia. — In the Serbian capital, Belgrade, Prince Philip was photographed holding a burning oak branch, or badnjak, in a traditional ceremony.

In the Armenian capital, Yerevan, Armenian Apostolic Christians attended a mass in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

Getty Images An Armenian Apostolic Christian prays during a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator, as the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas, in Yerevan on January 6, 2024 — In the Armenian capital, Yerevan, Armenian Apostolic Christians attended a mass in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

Georgian Christians came out for a candlelight celebration in Tbilisi.

AFP People holding candles gather to celebrate Orthodox Christmas Eve along Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi on January 6, 2025. — Georgian Christians came out for a candlelight celebration in Tbilisi.

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