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WATCH: Orthodox Christmas Midnight Mass at Church of Nativity in Bethlehem

© Sputnik / Alexei Malgavko / Go to the mediabankRussia celebrates Orthodox Christmas
Russia celebrates Orthodox Christmas - Sputnik International
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The celebration of the Christmas of all Orthodox Christians is considered to be the most joyful and significant event aside from Easter; in fact, it is the beginning and the basis for other church celebrations and is celebrated very solemnly.

The "second wave" of Christmas celebrations starts on 6 January, when Orthodox Christians and all those who live according to the Julian calendar celebrate the birth of Christ.

The ceremony begins long before sunset, when a procession, led by the Jerusalem Patriarch, goes from the Jerusalem Patriarchate to Bethlehem.

In antiquity, Christians would walk for two hours, but now the procession consists of a line of cars. On Christmas Eve, the Patriarch leads a service in Bethlehem, and the celebration begins.

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