250 Million Christians Celebrate January 7th Christmas: Here’s Why
On January 7, approximately 250 million Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, also referred to as Old Christmas Day. This significant day is especially prominent among Orthodox and Coptic Christian denominations, with communities residing in Eastern Europe and the Arab world, such as Egypt and Palestine, marking the occasion.
Understanding the Timing of Christmas Celebrations
While many celebrate Christmas on December 25, the January 7 observance stems from the use of the Julian calendar. This situation dates back to 1582 when Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, replacing the older Julian calendar. The Julian calendar had been in use since 46 BC, but it inaccurately measured a solar year, causing the seasons to drift over centuries.
Today, the Julian calendar is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. Thus, December 25 on the Julian calendar corresponds with January 7 on modern calendars. It is interesting to note that in 2101, this gap will widen to 14 days, pushing Orthodox Christmas to January 8.
Who Celebrates Christmas on January 7?
Among the 2.3 billion Christians globally, about 250 to 300 million observe Christmas on January 7. Key groups following this tradition include:
- The Russian Orthodox Church
- The Serbian Orthodox Church
- The Georgian Orthodox Church
- The Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt
- The Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Churches
In Ukraine, the government moved the official public holiday to December 25 in 2023. However, numerous citizens continue to celebrate on January 7. Other countries such as Greece and Romania also adopted December 25 over time. In Belarus and Moldova, both dates are recognized as national holidays, reflecting the diverse practices of Christian denominations.
The Origins of January 1 as New Year’s Day
January 1, now widely celebrated as New Year’s Day, was established by the Romans in 153 BC. This date signified the beginning of a new term for Roman leaders. Julius Caesar retained this date during calendar reforms in 46 BC. Additionally, the birth of Jesus is thought to have occurred approximately nine months after the Feast of the Annunciation, traditionally celebrated on March 25.
Different Calendar Systems
Various cultures utilize diverse calendar systems, largely based on solar or lunar cycles:
- Solar Calendar: Used by the Gregorian, Kurdish, and Persian calendars, it is based on a fixed year duration of 365 days.
- Lunar Calendar: This includes 354 days, with months linked to the moon’s phases, as seen in the Islamic calendar.
- Lunisolar Calendar: Combines the features of lunar and solar calendars, used in Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist traditions.
As Christians around the world commemorate Christmas on January 7, the day not only highlights faith but also illustrates the rich tapestry of cultural and historical practices influencing this significant holiday.
