Christmas on December 25th and January 7th: The Calendar Schism as a Result of History and Culture The dates for celebrating Christmas — December 25th and January 7th — are a vivid reflection of deep historical and culturally-religious divisions in the Christian world. This difference is not due to different theological interpretations, but rather to the use of different calendars: the Gregorian (introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582) and the Julian (introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE), which today lags behind the astronomical year by 13 days. Thus, December 25th in the "new style" (Gregorian calendar) corresponds to January 7th in the "old style" (Julian). 1. Countries Celebrating Christmas as a National Holiday on December 25th This includes the overwhelming majority of countries in the world with Christian traditions, which historically belong to the Catholic and Protestant branches of Christianity, as well as a number of Orthodox churches that have switched to the New Julian calendar (which coincides with the Gregorian until 2800). Europe and America: Practically all countries in the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, countries in Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. Here Christmas is the main family holiday, combining religious content (masses, liturgies) and secular traditions (tree, gifts, Santa Claus). Orthodox countries celebrating Christmas on December 25th: Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria: The local Orthodox churches of these countries switched to the New Julian calendar for movable feasts (including Christmas) in the 1920s, while retaining the Julian calendar for calculating Easter. This decision was made to synchronize with the civil calendar. Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and some other Orthodox churches also celebrate Christmas on December 25th according to the New Julian calendar. Interesting fact: In Israel, December 25th is a working day, but recognized as a day of rest for the Christian m ... Read more