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Orthodox Christmas celebrated throughout the world

Orthodox Christians throughout the world celebrate Christmas on January 7

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Christmas celebration after the service in the Orthodox church in the village of Sosnovka, 80 km from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

© EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a Christmas Eve service at the church in the village of Otradnoye, Voronezh Region, Russia

© EPA/ALEKSEY DRUGINYN/RIA NOVOSTI POOL

A Christmas service at Christ the Savior cathedral in Moscow, Russia

© EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his wife attend a Christmas service at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow

© TASS/Sergei Fadeichev

Russian Orthodox Church bishop Panteleimon prays next to children during a Christmas church service in Moscow, Russia

© EPA/SERGEI CHIRIKOV

Georgian Orthodox believers gather at the Trinity Cathedral during a Christmas Mass in Tbilisi, Georgia

© EPA/ZURAB KURTSIKIDZE

Prayer service during the Orthodox Christmas Eve mass in St. Volodymir cathedral, Kiev, Ukraine

© EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY

Orthodox Christmas Eve mass in St. Volodymir cathedral, Kiev, Ukraine

© EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY

People arrive for the Orthodox Christmas Eve, in front of St. Sava church in Belgrade, Serbia

© EPA/KOCA SULEJMANOVIC

Orthodox Christmas Eve Mass in the Cave Cathedral or St. Sama'ans Church on the Mokattam hills overlooking Cairo, Egypt

© AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy

Palestinian Christian Greek Orthodox worshippers celebrate Christmas mass at St. Porphyrios Church in Gaza City

© AP Photo/Khalil Hamra

Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7, according to the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian Calendar adopted by the Catholic Church. On the night of January 7, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill led the Christmas service in Moscow' Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the Christmas service at a village church in southern Russia.

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