MOSCOW, January 7. /TASS/. Orthodox Christians in Russia and other countries around the world are celebrating Christmas on January 6-7, an event which 2,024 years ago marked the beginning of the new history of mankind.
Christians conclude a four-week fast during which they confess their sins and receive communion. And on Christmas Eve they have special fasting, "until the first star," in memory of how the Magi came first to the birthplace of Christ following the movement of the star in the sky. A candle in front of the altar, which was lit at the end of the Christmas Eve service at about noon on January 6, symbolized the star.
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia recited Christmas Eve liturgy at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.
"Let us share the radiant Christmas joy with those in need, comfort our neighbors by our loving care, visit the sick and afflicted. Let us console and support people who have lost heart and shield with our prayer all those in turmoil and grief," Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said. "By its great salvific power love heals all indifference and malice, heals enmity and grievance. It assuages the hard-hearted and makes straight the many things that have gone awry in social relations."
This year, Andrey Rublev’s Holy Trinity icon was delivered from the All-Russian art scientific and restoration center named after academician I. E. Grabar to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
The Russian Orthodox Church reported earlier on its website that "The image of the Holy Trinity was placed in a special icon case and installed near the right choir of the temple."
One of the most famous masterpieces of Russian icon painting, it is believed to be painted by Rublev for the Trinity Monastery (now the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius) at the request of Reverend Nikon of Radonezh (1350-1426), a disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh and the second abbot of the monastery after him.
The festive Christmas service recalls the great event that marked the beginning of a new era for mankind. At the moment of birth of Godman God’s grace touched every person, every family line, and from that time the person has the opportunity to accept the gift.
Russia’s main Orthodox cathedral, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, built to commemorate the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812, is dedicated to the biblical birth of Jesus, since on this very day, December 25 of the older Julian calendar, the last soldier of the Napoleon army left Russia. For the first time ever, the Christmas Eve service was held with open Holy Doors to symbolize the openness of God’s word for all.
January 7 is also Christmas day for Orthodox Christians in Serbia, Jerusalem, Georgia, and the monastic community of Mount Athos in Greece, one of Orthodox Christianity’s holiest sites.