Orthodox Christians living in Slovakia, who observe the Julian calendar, celebrated Christmas during the past weekend, the TASR newswire reported.
The liturgical celebrations in Orthodox churches began early on the morning of January 6 with prayers called ‘Royal Hours’. The services proceeded in the evening with Great Vespers, St. Basil Liturgy and Great Compline, called ‘Povecheriye’ in Church Slavonic.
Orthodox believers observe a period of 40-day of fasting ahead of Christmas, which includes abstention from all animal products, including eggs and all dairy products. The fasting ended on Christmas Eve, which was January 6 this year.
Orthodox Christmas Day on January 7 this year was followed by the feast of Synaxis of the Holy Theotokos on January 8 and the feast of Stephen, Archdeacon and Protomartyr on January 9, TASR wrote.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Radka Minarechová Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
