Members of scout bands perform ahead of the arrival of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on Thursday (January 6) to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas.

Many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on or around January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth, as described in the Christian Bible. This date works to the Julian calendar, which pre-dates the Gregorian calendar.

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RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Bethlehem, 06 January 2022. Members of a scout band perform as Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III arrives at the Church of the Nativity to celebrate Christmas according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar, in Bethlehem in the West Bank.

STORYLINE:

Many Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth, described in the Christian Bible. This date works to the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly observed.

Orthodox Christians in central and eastern Europe and other parts of the world celebrate Christmas on January 7. The Christmas dates around January 7 may vary among some churches. Many Orthodox Christians fast before January 7, usually excluding meat and dairy products.

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