Christmas service in the church. All about celebrating Christmas. (councils of priests, traditions, rituals, church services)

Christmas is one of the main holidays in the Orthodox world. It is second in importance after Easter.

It is known that on the eve of January 7, a service called the All-Night Vigil is held in the temple. Orthodox believers come to church in order to defend the service, during which all parishioners can take communion. Litiya is also performed, that is, the minister illuminates the bread, wine and people who came to the temple. Previously, Christmas was identified with Lent, which lasted for 40 days. It was a kind of test before the great feast of the birth of Jesus Christ and, of course, communion in the temple. Today, each person decides for himself whether he should fast, whether he should come to the temple, whether to confess, whether to make offerings to the church. All this is voluntary.

Christmas Eve Features

Christmas Eve is the hardest day of the forty-day fast. Believers can eat compote, jelly, lean cereals. At this moment, a service is held, which is called the Liturgy of Basil the Great. The clergy read passages from the Old Testament to the parishioners, pointing out in particular the coming of Christ to earth as our Savior. After the service, a symbolic image of the Star of Bethlehem, which ascended to heaven at the time of the birth of the Son of God, is brought into the center of the hall.

The All-Night Vigil, which marks the feast, consists of Great Compline and Matins. The first part lasts over 60 minutes and is divided into 3 parts. Special, festive chants are sung at the service. Then the vigil smoothly turns into Matins.

History reference

The rules of conduct for holding a solemn service on Christmas Eve were established back in the distant fourth century. In the fifth century, famous clergymen wrote hymns that are still used in churches during solemn services and liturgies. That is, the roots of customs go back many centuries.

Is it obligatory to attend a service on Christmas Eve today?

No, not necessarily. The presence in the church on the night of January 6-7 is a personal matter for every Orthodox believer. Some families come to the temple with small children, experiencing special awe and respect for the ancient holiday. Someone, due to their health, simply cannot attend the service and watches everything that happens on TV. Fortunately, broadcasts from temples that are broadcast live are not prohibited these days. Therefore, we can say that if there is a desire to watch everything that happens, this can be done not only in person, but also in absentia, using a television broadcast.

The Christmas service in 2019 will traditionally be held from January 6 to 7 in all Orthodox churches with a solemn divine liturgy. It is held according to the services of the daily cycle and consists of several parts: morning, evening, compline, midnight, hours and the Christmas Liturgy itself.

Christmas service and television

The 2019 Christmas service will combine the morning and evening services into the All-Night Vigil Prayer. That is, in a prayer that lasts all night. Such a prayer occurs only 2 times a year, at Christmas and the Feast of Holidays - Easter.

Since the revival of the Orthodox faith, over the past 20 years, a tradition has developed in Russia of the congratulatory television address of the Patriarch of All Russia before the start of the Christmas service, and it will be the same in 2019.

The patriarchal service, with an all-night vigil, held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, is broadcast on Channel One, Russia 1, as well as on the Orthodox channels Spas and Soyuz. The time of the Christmas service in 2019 is 23:00, January 6.

It is best, of course, to celebrate Christmas directly at the service, and not at the TV screen. This broadcast, to a greater extent, is organized for believers who do not have the physical opportunity to attend the festive Liturgy. But the circumstances of life are such that the Word of God, heard even by chance, by an unbeliever, sometimes surprisingly begins to change his life.

Pilgrimage at Christmas

If possible, the Christmas service in 2019 can be held in the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery, the famous spiritual monastery that has given many pious elders. Including the famous spiritual elder John Krestyankin. Every year on Christmas, pilgrimage tours are organized from Moscow and St. Petersburg (St. Petersburg) to attend the festive Liturgy.

It is important that believers feel divine grace in the temple

But it is not so important to celebrate the bright feast of the Nativity of Christ in a large spiritual monastery or a small church. It is important that believers feel divine grace in the temple. An example of such a temple is the temple of Sergius of Radonezh in the village of Oktyabrsky, Perm Region. The village itself has an 80-year history, but there was no temple of its own.

By the grace of God, the inhabitants of the village landscaped the territory on which a small temple complex arose, and on Christmas Eve 2006, rector Fr. Andrei (Vorobiev) conducted the first Christmas service. The place is glorious with a holy spring, to which an increasing number of believers come from year to year.

The exact timetable for holding the Christmas service in 2019 is drawn up and determined in advance by the rector of the church in accordance with the main instructions of the Patriarchal Service.

On January 7, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas, Catholics celebrate Christmas on December 25, and for them, in the Christmas service in 2019, the address of Queen Elizabeth 2 of England is significant.

For the royal family, the queen's Christmas address is a traditional gesture, aimed more at organizing the external attributes of the holiday than at a spiritual farewell.

January 6 - Evening Christmas, or Christmas Eve, - last day Christmas Lent, eve Christmas. On this day, Orthodox Christians especially prepare for the upcoming holiday, the whole day is filled with a special festive mood. On the morning of Christmas Eve, at the end of the Liturgy and the vespers following it, a candle is brought to the center of the church and the priests sing a troparion in front of it. Christmas. Services and Christmas Eve post have a number of features, so it is these days that many questions come to our site about how to conduct Christmas Eve. We asked Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko to answer these questions.

How to fast on Christmas Eve?

- Father Alexander, the most frequently asked question by our readers is how to fast on Christmas Eve, until what time should one refrain from eating food? What does “fasting until the first star” mean? Is the measure of abstinence the same for those who work and those who do not work on this day? How long does fasting last before communion?

Indeed, the Typicon prescribes fasting until the end of Vespers. However, the Vespers service is connected with the Liturgy, it is served in the morning, and therefore we fast until the moment when a candle is brought into the center of the church and the troparion to the Nativity of Christ is sung in front of the candle.

It is obvious that people in the temple are fasting, many commune on this day. It would be good if those who cannot be in the service in the temple, who work, honor this day with a more strict fast. We remember that, according to the Russian proverb, "A full belly is deaf to prayer." Therefore, a more strict fast prepares us for the coming joy of the holiday.

Those who take communion at the night Liturgy, according to church tradition, eat food for the last time at least six hours before the time of Communion, or from about 6 pm. And here the point is not in a specific number of hours, that you need to fast for 6 or 8 hours and not a minute less, but in the fact that a certain border is established, a measure of abstinence that helps us to comply with the measure.

– Father, a lot of questions come from sick people who cannot fast, they ask what they should do?

Sick people, of course, must fast to the extent that this is consistent with the intake of medicines and with the prescriptions of doctors. This is not about putting a weak person in a hospital, but about strengthening a person spiritually. Illness is already a difficult post and a feat. And here a person should already try to determine the measure of fasting according to his own strength. Any thing can be brought to the point of absurdity. For example, imagine that a priest who comes to give communion to a dying person asks when the person last ate?!

– As a rule, believers try to meet at the night festive liturgy. But in many churches, the Vespers and Liturgy are also served at the usual time - 5 pm and in the morning. In this regard, people often ask, is it not a sin for a young man, not weak, without children, to go to the service not at night, but in the morning?

To visit a night service or a morning one - you need to watch it according to your strength. Meeting the holiday at night is, of course, a special joy: both spiritual and spiritual. There are very few such services a year; in most parish churches, night liturgies are served only at Christmas And Easter- especially solemn services are traditionally performed at night. But for example, on Athos, Sunday vigils are served at night. Still, there are not so many such services, just over 60 per year. The Church so establishes, taking into account human capabilities: the number of night vigils in the year is limited.

Solemn night services contribute to a deeper prayerful experience and perception of the Holiday.

- The festive Liturgy is over, the festive feast begins. Here we are asked two questions. First, is it possible to celebrate Christmas first in the parish, and not immediately arrange a family celebration?

The second question is related to the fact that Christmas Liturgy many take communion. And people are somewhat embarrassed: you have just received communion, the books of the holy fathers say that in order to retain grace, you need to try to protect yourself from talking, especially laughter, and try to spend time after communion in prayer. And then a festive feast, even with brothers and sisters in Christ... People are afraid of losing their prayerful mood..

Those rules that the hermit fathers offered to monastics cannot be fully transferred to worldly life, and even more so they cannot be transferred to major holidays. We are talking about ascetics - ascetics, especially richly endowed with the grace-filled gifts of God. For them, the outer part is secondary. Of course, the spiritual life is in the first place for the laity, but we cannot draw the same clear line between the spiritual and the earthly here.

The apostle Paul commanded us Always rejoice. Incessantly pray. In everything give thanks to the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). If we meet the holiday with joy, prayer and gratitude to God, then we fulfill the apostolic covenant.

Of course, this issue must be considered individually. Of course, if a person feels that he is losing his fertile mood behind a noisy celebration, then perhaps he should sit down at the table for a while, leave earlier, preserving spiritual joy.

– Father Alexander, isn’t it worth it here for us to distinguish between two states in ourselves – when we are really afraid to spill the feeling received in the temple, and when by our refusal to participate in the holiday we can upset our neighbors, and often refuse to share joy with a non-peaceful heart. Relatives resigned themselves to the fact that their zealous family member flatly refused to celebrate the New Year with them, it would seem that the fast was over, the person should “return” to the family, share the joy of the holiday together, and he again slams the door and says “What a “sit with us”, I have a great holiday, such grace, I will lose all my prayer mood with you!!”

In this case, a person will hardly harm his prayerful state, since such behavior indicates that a person does not stay in it. The state of contemplation, prayerfulness is always associated with a surge of spiritual joy, grace, which the Lord generously pours out on His slaves. And such an attitude towards neighbors is more like hypocrisy and hypocrisy.

– Is it obligatory to attend the evening service on the very day of the holiday - the evening of the Christmas holiday?

- Everyone should decide for himself. After the night service, you need to recuperate. Not everyone, due to age, health and spiritual level, is able to go to the temple and take part in the service. But we must remember that the Lord rewards for every effort that a person makes for Him.

The evening service on this day is not long, especially spiritual, solemn and joyful, the Great Prokeimenon is proclaimed at it, so, of course, it’s good if you can visit it.

Congratulations to all readers of our site on the upcoming holiday Christmas!

Questions prepared by Lidia Dobrova and Anna Danilova

On the night of January 6-7, Christmas services are held in Orthodox churches. And how do they prepare for Christmas in the Orthodox Church?

In the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Minsk, correspondents are met by the rector of the parish, Archpriest Igor Galak, and Deacon Dmitry.

Christmas Eve, or the Eve of the Nativity of Christ, among Orthodox believers, it is customary to celebrate January 6th. On this day, after the morning service in the temple, believers refrain from eating until the first star appears in the sky, which is a symbol of the star that rose over Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Christ.

One of the main places in the church is the lectern (a high narrow table on which an icon, cross or Gospel is placed) in the center of the temple. On it is an icon of the Nativity depicting the sacred moment of the birth of Christ.

By the lit star of Bethlehem, the magi were able to determine where Christ was born. The Jews were waiting for the birth of the King of the world, who could deliver them from slavery and help create their own state. But not an earthly king was born, but a heavenly one. As gifts to him, the Magi brought incense, myrrh and silver - symbols of wealth and kingship. The Mother of God Mary is depicted with the baby Jesus in her cradle. Joseph and Mary went to the census and, as they had to travel a long distance, they spent the night in a cave in a barn. That is why the moment of the birth of Christ is depicted in a barn among animals.

The lectern with the icon of the Nativity

Jesus Christ was born at night, which is why a night liturgy is held from January 6 to 7. The icon of the Nativity is in the temple from January 6 to January 13 and before the evening service it is decorated with a spruce wreath, a symbol of an evergreen living tree.

The feast of the Nativity of Christ lasts until the Circumcision of the Lord. Then comes the period of Baptism. All these holidays are connected with the life of the Lord Jesus Christ and cover the period from January 7 to 18. In the church they are called Svyatki. The clothing of priests during church holidays is different from clothing during regular services. So, for example, at Easter it should be red, and during the period of Christmas services, the Baptism of the Lord and Christmas time, black robes are replaced by white ones.

Priest's clothes for the Christmas service: phelonion, handrails, belt and stole

There are carolers in the Orthodox tradition, but they differ from the usual "pagan" ones. In the church, such people are called Bogoslavs. They do not dress up in such costumes as carolers and come to their friends, sing church hymns during the Christmas season.

General view of the altar inside the temple, decorated for Christmas

In some churches, for the holiday, cribs with figures of a baby, lambs and wise men are placed, symbolizing the birth of Christ.

The evening Christmas service in the temple begins at 6 am on January 6th. This service is called the Royal Hours. On Christmas Eve, a special liturgy of Basil the Great is served. Starting with the evening service, the feast of the Holy Nativity comes, since in ancient Jerusalem it was believed that the day starts at 6 pm. Until Christmas, believers follow a 40-day fast. On the 6th, it is customary to drink water and not eat food. In the evening there is an anointing with special oil, illumination of bread, millet and wine.

Special dishes, tools for communion and prosphora, located in the altar (photo from the archive of the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel)

Traditionally, the Christmas service is held with the Holy Doors open so that everyone can see what is happening in the altar. At this time, the Proskomidia is performed in the altar, the first part of the liturgy, during which preparations for the Divine service take place: they put special dishes, tools, wine, prosphora, and read prayers.

Liturgical prosphora with seals and Christmas bread

The bread commonly used in church is called prosphora. It is prepared in a special prosphora with the help of flour, baptismal water and yeast. First, leaven is made, dough is kneaded with prayer, and special breads are baked. One of the prosphoras is specially prepared for communion.

On Christmas Day, a special round Christmas bread is baked at the church. Baking such special bread is a very long and painstaking process that takes a whole day. They prepare it, as the prosphora women say, according to the will of God and with the word of God.

On major Orthodox holidays, all Christians try to visit the church in order to take part in the solemn divine service. Well, since Christmas is considered one of the most significant events in the Christian world, then is carried out literally in all, even the smallest, temples and chapels. Thus, believers get the opportunity to visit the temple at a convenient place and time for them, especially since Christmas service schedule covers the widest time zones, starting very early and ending well after midnight.

It is an unconditional fact that worldly fuss does not allow our contemporary to attend church with the regularity that he needs. Meanwhile, on the most important days, such as Christmas, Easter, Trinity, the Annunciation and others, true Christians must come to church. And in this case Christmas service in the church is one of the most important events that are a priority for an Orthodox person. However, and Catholic Christmas service is for a believer the measure by which he orients himself and builds his plans. In fact, here we are talking about the fact that, regardless of religion, a person always worships God, praying for forgiveness and mercy.

Christmas service at the church

On Christmas Eve, many of our compatriots, who rarely manage to visit charitable places, are wondering if what time is the christmas service starts, when do you have to go to church and how do you plan your day? Indeed, according to tradition, preparations for the feast of the Nativity of Christ begin on January 6, when you need to have time to cook 12 dishes and visit the temple. At the same time, it is important to understand that this is an event that is impossible to look at for a minute, but you have to devote a lot of time to it.

Festive Christmas service at the church is a special event attended by the whole family. And since we are talking about children here, it is necessary to prepare them for a long and solemn service in advance. On the other hand, it is important to observe silence and humility here, so if the child starts to get tired, then the best option would be to quietly go outside with him. Well, if you find christmas service text, then in this case it is possible to continue worship at home. Of course, this is not as solemn as in the temple, but serving and praying to God is not necessarily a triumph, first of all it is faith and hope.

Start of Christmas service

Christmas is considered one of the biggest Christian holidays, so services on this day are held in each church according to their own schedule. That is, in each particular temple start of Christmas service determined by the rector and corrected with an emphasis on the canons of Christianity. In fact, this means that every believer can come to church at any time convenient for him and stay here for as long as he considers necessary.

On the other hand, since Christmas is a very bright, festive, but also busy day, then Christmas service January 6 may be visited. If we take into account the fact that Christmas falls on different days of the week every year, then the duration of the service will depend on this factor. But, be that as it may, and whenever a person comes to the temple, whether it be on January 6 or 7, or on another date, he will always be able to find support from our Lord Jesus Christ here, light a candle and pray in silence.

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