In the pictures: Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas

Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Christmas by attending church services.

While most of Christendom celebrates Christmas on December 25, for many of the world’s 200 million Orthodox Christians, the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated on January 7.

This is because they follow the Julian calendar, unlike Christian denominations that follow the Gregorian calendar.

A woman receives Holy Communion in the Mar Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in the Syrian capital of Damascus. This is the first Christmas that Syrians have celebrated since the fall of their longtime ruler, former President Bashar al-Assad.

Getty Images A worshiper receives communion during a Christmas service at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Mar Sarkis (Saint Sargis) at Bab Sharqi in the old city of Damascus on January 6, 2025. — A woman receives Holy Communion in the Mar Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in the Syrian capital of Damascus. This is the first Christmas that Syrians have celebrated since the fall of their longtime ruler, former President Bashar al-Assad.

In Egypt, a priest representing the Coptic Orthodox Church – the largest Christian community in the Middle East – walks past worshipers of the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo.

Getty Images A priest leads Orthodox Christmas Eve celebrations at Michael the Archangel Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo on January 6, 2025. — In Egypt, a priest representing the Coptic Orthodox Church – the largest Christian community in the Middle East – walks past worshipers of the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo.

A young worshiper lights a candle during an Orthodox Christmas Eve celebration in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Getty Images A worshiper lights a candle during an Orthodox Christmas Eve celebration at the Russian Orthodox Church in the emirate of Sharjah on January 6, 2025. — A young worshiper lights a candle during an Orthodox Christmas Eve celebration in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Earlier, worshipers and religious leaders gathered at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank of the Jordan River, which is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus.

Getty Images Worshipers and religious leaders attend a ceremony as Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem presides over Orthodox Christmas celebrations at the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in Bethlehem, West Bank, on January 6, 2025. . — Earlier, worshipers and religious leaders gathered at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank of the Jordan River, which is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus.

Ethiopian worshipers hold candles and sing hymns at Bole Medhanialem Church in Addis Ababa.

Getty Images Worshipers hold candles and sing religious hymns as they gather ahead of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas celebration at Bole Medhanialem Church in Addis Ababa on January 6, — Ethiopian worshipers hold candles and sing hymns at Bole Medhanialem Church in Addis Ababa.

As millions of Russians celebrate Christmas, President Vladimir Putin (left) observed the festive season at St. George’s Church in Moscow.

EPA Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) attends a Christmas service at St. George's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia, January 6, 2025. — As millions of Russians celebrate Christmas, President Vladimir Putin (left) observed the festive season at St. George’s Church in Moscow.

On the streets of Moscow you can see festive clothes.

EPA People walk past street decorations for the Christmas holidays in Moscow, Russia, on January 6, 2025. — On the streets of Moscow you can see festive clothes.

In the Serbian capital, Belgrade, Prince Philip was photographed with a burning oak branch, or Christmas tree, during a traditional ceremony.

Getty Images Serbia's Prince Filip (left) attends a ceremony to burn dry oak branches, a symbol of the Orthodox Christmas Eve pyre, in front of the White House on January 6, 2025. in Belgrade, Serbia. — In the Serbian capital, Belgrade, Prince Philip was photographed with a burning oak branch, or Christmas tree, during a traditional ceremony.

In Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, Armenian Christian apostles took part in a service in the Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.

Getty Images An Armenian Apostolic Christian prays during a service at the Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator as the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas, in Yerevan on January 6, 2024. — In Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, Armenian Christian apostles took part in a service in the Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.

Georgian Christians came to celebrate with candles in Tbilisi.

AFP People with candles gather to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas Eve on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi on January 6, 2025. — Georgian Christians came to celebrate with candles in Tbilisi.