MEMBERS of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Slovakia began their Christmas celebrations January 6.
Orthodox Christians in Bratislava gathered at a grand evening ceremony at St. Nicholas' Church, near Bratislava Castle, to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the TASR news agency reported.
There are 50,000 people officially registered as Orthodox believers in the country, but estimates suggest that the actual number is around 80,000.
The Orthodox Church officially adheres to the so-called Julian calendar, named after Roman emperor Julius Caesar.
Orthodox believers celebrate the beginning of their spiritual year on January 14, 2005.
