Monday, 9 January 2012Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7. Solemn services will be held in Orthodox Church at night.
Patriarch of Georgia Illia the Second will start Christmas solemn service together with St. Synod members and priests at St. Trinity temple at 23:00. Christmas epistle will be also read at the temple.
Christmas will end 40-day fast that started on 28 Nvoember. This is a time of reflection, self-restraint and inner healing in the sacrament of confession.
According to the Holly Gospel, the birth of Christ took place in a stable, surrounded by farm animals, Bethlehem. Shepherds from the fields surrounding Bethlehem were told of the birth by an angel, and were the first to see the child. The Gospel of Matthew also describes a visit by several Magi, or astrologers, who bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus.
The visitors were said to be following a mysterious star, commonly known as the Star of Bethlehem, believing it to announce the birth of a king of the Jews.
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Monday, 9 January 2012
Georgian Times
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