Welche Länder feiern Weihnachten am 7. Januar?

Die meisten Ukrainer haben den Übergang zur Feier von Weihnachten am 25. Dezember vollzogen. Einige Bürger feiern jedoch am 7. Januar. Erfahren Sie mehr darüber, welche anderen Länder Weihnachten am 7. Januar feiern, warum die Daten unterschiedlich sind und wie historische und religiöse Traditionen dieses Merkmal beeinflusst haben.

Wählen Sie eine Tour in der Ukraine für jeden Geschmack

KAUFEN

Christmas is one of the most important Christian holidays celebrated around the world. However, the date of celebration of this holiday depends on the church calendar followed by a particular country.

Traditionally, Christmas is celebrated either on December 25 according to the Gregorian calendar or January 7 according to the Julian calendar.

Let's take a look at which countries celebrate Christmas on January 7, why it happened, and how traditions are changing, particularly in Ukraine.

Countries that celebrate Christmas on January 7

Christmas is celebrated on January 7 in countries where the dominant Christian denomination is Orthodoxy and where churches use the Julian calendar. These countries include:

Ukraine (until 2023, partially thereafter)

Russia

Belarus

Serbia

Georgia

Moldova (partially)

Egypt (Coptic Orthodox Church)

Ethiopia

Kazakhstan (Orthodox communities)

These countries have kept the tradition of celebrating Christmas according to the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, the holiday falls on January 7 according to the modern secular calendar.

Why are the dates of the celebration different?

The difference in dates is due to a calendar reform. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, which more accurately reflected the astronomical year. Catholic and most Protestant churches adopted this calendar, but Orthodox churches remained on the Julian calendar for various theological and cultural reasons.

Thus, Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas later than those who use the Gregorian calendar.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

How did Ukraine change the date of Christmas?

In 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) decided to allow communities to celebrate Christmas on December 25 according to the Gregorian calendar. This decision was a response to public demand and the desire for cultural separation from Russian religious traditions.

However, many parishes, especially in rural areas, still follow the Julian calendar and celebrate Christmas on January 7. Thus, during the transition period, two dates for celebrating Christmas actually coexist in Ukraine.

The significance of the transition to the new date

Ukraine's transition to celebrating Christmas on December 25 has not only religious but also political significance. It symbolizes the movement towards European traditions, as well as a move away from the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate.

In 2024, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine will officially switch to the New Julian calendar, which will synchronize the celebrations with Catholic and most Orthodox churches around the world.

Christmas continues to be celebrated on January 7 in many countries where the Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar. At the same time, there is a tendency to switch to the Gregorian calendar, especially in countries that seek greater cultural convergence with the West.

Ukraine is a prime example of this transformation, which reflects both religious and socio-political changes.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – health insurance with coverage of war risks;

Visit Ukraine Mini Hull Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Osago – compulsory motor third party liability insurance for cars with Ukrainian registration;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.