All-night Christmas service. Irmos of the canon of the Nativity of Christ

The Divine Liturgy of the Nativity of Christ: Traditions, the Sequence of the Liturgy, and the History of the Feast of the Nativity. Read more on the Pravmir portal.

Christmas Traditions: The Divine Liturgy of the Nativity of Christ

Κοντάκιον. Ποίημα Ῥωμανοῦ τοῦ Μελῳδοῦ.

Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν ὑπερούσιον τίκτει, καὶ ἡ γῆ τὸ Σπήλαιον, τῷ ἀπροσίτω προσάγει. Ἄγγελοι μετὰ Ποιμένων δοξολογοῦσι. Μάγοι δὲ μετὰ ἀστέρος ὁδοιποροῦσι. Δι´ ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἐγεννήθη, Παιδίον νέον, ὁ πρὸ αἰώνων Θεός.

(E parfenos semeron ton uperousion tiktei, kai e ge to spelaion tw aprositw prosagei. Angeloi meta Poimenon doxologousi. Magoi de meta asteros oidoporousi. Di emas gar egennete Paidion neon, O pros aiwnwn Teos.)

Today the Virgin gives birth to the superexistent, and the earth brings a cave to the Unapproachable; The angels glorify together with the shepherds, while the magi travel after the star, because for our sake the young Infant, the Eternal God, was born.

Kontakion, the creation of Roman the Melodist

Christmas is a holiday celebrated by people all over the world. Why are they happy? Only because on this day a new era “from the Nativity of Christ” began, because the Christmas tree was decorated, because we receive gifts? But what does this event, which happened 2000 years ago, have to do with people living today? What are the traditions of celebrating Christmas.

Christ is the Savior, but do we need to be saved from something, do we face any danger? And can we really meet God? How the liturgical tradition of the Church answers these questions, says Nikolai DERZHAVIN, who has been commenting on television broadcasts of festive services for 20 years.

What is the meaning of Christmas

The great ecumenical teacher calls the Nativity of Christ "the beginning of all holidays." “Whoever calls this holiday the mother of all holidays will not sin ... In this holiday, both the Theophany, and the sacred, and have their beginning and foundation. If Christ had not been born according to the flesh, then he would not have been baptized, and this is the feast of the Epiphany; and would not have suffered, and this is the Passover; and would not send the Holy Spirit, and this is Pentecost. So, from the feast of the Nativity of Christ, our holidays began, as from the source of various streams.

The birth of Christ - the Messiah - the Anointed One, who will save the world, was predicted by the Old Testament prophets and was expected for centuries. This joyful event took place more than 2,000 years ago: Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea. We, Christians, annually again and again experience this joy, proclaimed by the Angels to the shepherds: “I proclaim to you great joy that will be to all people: for today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, has been born to you in the city of David,” says the Holy Gospel.

God becomes Man so that man becomes God by grace. But, at the same time, the Creator, taking the image of His creation, "is humiliated." What is being done is what in Greek is called "kenosis", and in Slavic - "exhaustion" of the Son of God. And it reaches its highest point on the Cross. And yet, at Christmas we rejoice, for we know what rich fruits this exhaustion has borne. We rejoice, for the day has dawned for the beginning of our salvation, salvation from sin and death. And salvation from death and meeting with God, the source of life, is the greatest reason for thanksgiving and joy.

Christmas and Magi

According to the teaching of the Church, the fact that “for our sake a young child, eternal God was born” is a cause of joy for those who love God. By the fact that God wanted to be born in the form of a man, He gave deliverance from corruption and death, “healed the wounds of Eve”, “forgave sins”, “gave immortality”, “fulfilled the prophecies”, “attracted the fallen primordial Adam”, “replaced lies with faith” in the truth, “led everyone to the life-giving light,” as the Christmas service says.

So, what does this event have to do with each of the people living today? The Church speaks about this through the lips of her poets in church hymnography. The main and most frequently sung hymns on the holiday are. Troparia - short hymns glorifying the holiday, belong to the most ancient type of church hymns, from which Christian hymnography began its development in ancient times. The troparion of the Nativity could have been created as early as the 4th century. In Russian, the text of this chant sounds like this: Your birth, O Christ our God, shed light of knowledge on the world: for those who served the stars were taught by the star to bow to You, the Sun of Truth, and to know You, the East from on high. Lord, glory to Thee".

Kontakion "The Virgin Today" was written by St. Roman the Melodist, and is considered one of the pinnacles of church poetry. In ancient times, lengthy theological poems that were part of the Christian liturgy were called kontakions. But, over time, they were replaced by another genre of church hymnography - the canon. Kontakions were preserved in worship in the form of the initial stanzas of previous poems (and also gave rise to – a hymn during which one is not supposed to sit, "non-saddle singing").

Let's get acquainted with the text of the kontakion : “Today the Virgin gives birth to the super-existent, and the earth brings a cave to the Unapproachable; The angels glorify together with the shepherds, while the magi travel after the star, because for our sake the young Infant, the Eternal God, was born. The invisible God became incarnate and became a Man - this is what the feast of the Nativity of Christ, the feast of the Incarnation, proclaims.

If we turn our attention to the texts of the hymns, we will notice one characteristic feature: the frequent repetition of the words "today" and "today." Today, now, "The Virgin of the Substantial gives birth." The event took place more than 2000 years ago, but what happened then has a direct bearing on us living today. Therefore, the Church, with her hymns and all her divine services, introduces us into a special reality. We become spiritual participants and witnesses of events taking place before our mind's eye.

Birthday of Christ

Christians have been celebrating Christmas since ancient times. How did they do it before? Modern liturgists believe that Christmas is one of the oldest Christian holidays, along with the Annunciation and Easter. It is celebrated exactly 9 months after the Annunciation, on December 25, according to the old style. Initially, it was connected with the feast of the Epiphany, which appeared in the 3rd century, and this common feast was called the Feast of Lights in a different way. Christmas has separated from the West. In the ancient Roman calendar, dating from the year 354, under December 25 (or January 8 calendar) it is written: “ Birthday of Christ in Bethlehem».

The church charter calls Christmas the "second Easter" and gives it an exclusive place among the days of the liturgical year. This is a holiday twelfth, belonging to the category of the most important 12 Christian holidays. Usually before these holidays one day of forefeast is supposed, before Christmas there are five such days. For the sake of the Nativity of Christ, fasting is canceled, even if the holiday falls on weekly fast days - Wednesday and Friday. After the holiday comes "", which will last until Epiphany Eve (January 18). The period of Christmas time, from the point of view of the liturgical charter, is, as it were, one day, joyful and jubilant. On Christmas time, however, as at any other time, and especially on these holidays, people are called to “sanctify”, to sanctify the holiday with good deeds.

Our history knows many examples of truly Christian celebration of holy Christmas days. In pre-Petrine Russia, pious sovereigns visited prisons on the very night of the Nativity of Christ and freed repentant criminals, distributed alms with their own hands, but did all this in such a way that royal mercy was not made public. The exits of the sovereign from the palace these days were called "secret".

The feast of the Nativity of Christ, perhaps like no other, brought to life many folk customs. Christmas, the glorification of the Divine Infant, the arrangement of nativity scenes - likenesses and images of the Bethlehem cave - all these are indispensable signs of the holiday, and it is wonderful that many of these customs are being revived today.

The reflection of the Star of Bethlehem lit up our secular culture. And today it is especially appropriate to recall the lines of our wonderful writer, who in his book “Summer of the Lord” showed Christmas morning in old Moscow through the eyes of a child: “Christmas ... This word seems to have strong frosty air, icy purity and snowiness. The very word seems bluish to me. Even in the church song - Christ is born - praise! Christ from heaven - hide!- a frosty crunch is heard. The bluish dawn turns white. The snowy lace of trees is as light as air. The church rumble floats, and in this frosty rumble the sun rises like a ball. It is fiery, thick, more than usual: the sun at Christmas. Floats on fire behind the garden. The garden is in deep snow, brightens, turns blue. Here, it ran along the tops, the hoarfrost turned pink, checkmarks blackened pink, woke up; splashed with pinkish dust, the birch trees turned golden, and fiery golden spots fell on the white snow. Here it is, the morning of the Holiday - Christmas.

On the Slavic and Russian languages ​​in worship

We will repeatedly refer to liturgical texts dedicated to the Nativity of Christ, both in Church Slavonic and in Russian. And in this regard, I would like to say a few words about ours. The whole world knows the beauty of Orthodox iconography, this “theology in colors”, and our churches have become national symbols of harmony and perfection.

These masterpieces are joined by a huge poetic heritage - hymnography and Ancient Russia. The works of Byzantine religious poetry, such as canons, stichera, troparia and kontakia, are distinguished by a special theological depth and expressive language. Indeed, their perception is often hampered by the language barrier. And in connection with these difficulties, some people have a question: “Why doesn’t the Church abandon the Church Slavonic language, why doesn’t it switch to Russian?” But the easiest way is not always the best one. The Slavic texts were themselves translated from Greek by the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles brothers Cyril and Methodius, but they are consecrated by the thousand-year tradition of Slavic book-writing.

To solve the language problem, it is not necessary to sit down at a desk, it is enough to visit the temple regularly and participate in divine services. After all, many of the texts that we heard today are constantly present in our worship. Gradually, these texts will become recognizable to us. Then you can turn to translations, clarify incomprehensible words and expressions. The texts of the festive services are also quite accessible today. They come out in separate editions, with a parallel text in Russian. It would be useful and correct if our preparation for the holiday (and most people go to church on holidays) included a preliminary acquaintance with the liturgical texts and their deep theological content. And you can start with those prayers that are read daily: from the morning and evening rules.

All-night vigil

How is the Patriarchal Christmas Liturgy celebrated?

Let's say a few words about the order and sequence of its celebration on Christmas Day using the example of the main Christmas service performed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in Moscow. The patriarchal service is slightly different in form from the usual parish service, but in essence it is one and the same service, so our story is also applicable to the parish service. We will talk about these differences in those places where they will appear.

The service of the Orthodox Church consists of services of the daily cycle: Matins, Vespers, Compline, Midnight Office, Hours and liturgies. Before the holidays, morning and evening worship is combined into the so-called "", that is, a prayer that continues all night. In practice, such a prayer happens only twice a year, on the greatest holidays - Christmas and Easter. The All-Night Vigil is a liturgical service that consists of Vespers and Matins. These church services got their name from the time they were performed. But today the composition of the All-Night Vigil is changing: the place of Vespers is taken by great compline- a service that takes place after Vespers, hence its name.

According to the tradition that has developed over the past 20 years, before the start of the service, the Patriarch, who is in the altar, addresses the viewers with Christmas greetings.

Here the veil and the holy gates open, we see how the clergy, led by the Patriarch, come out of the altar into the middle of the church. The archdeacon with candles goes to the pulpit and proclaims: Bless the lord". Vladyka blesses those assembled and exclaims: Blessed be our God always now and forever and forever and ever The all-night vigil begins.

The primate, who is preceded by an archdeacon or protodeacon with a candle, burns the feast icon, which is located in the center of the church on the lectern. The prayer "King of Heaven" is addressed to. This prayer begins many liturgical services of the Orthodox Church. The patriarch burns the throne and the altar incense. This is an ancient form of worship that existed in the Old Testament, before the coming of the Savior into the world. The spiritual meaning of incense is revealed to us by verses from the Psalms: May my prayer be corrected, like a censer before you”- let my prayer, like incense smoke, ascend to heaven, and the prayerful uplift of hands will be like the evening sacrifice.

After the exclamation follows the litany and the famous hymn " God with us". This song is based on the prophecy of Isaiah. This prophet, who lived 700 years before the birth of Christ, announced the future birth of the Savior from the Virgin, prophesied about the events of His earthly life, as well as about the suffering that the Son of God would have to accept for the salvation of the human race. The prophet, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, saw with spiritual vision the coming events of the New Testament so clearly that he is often called the "Old Testament Evangelist." At the end of Compline, the troparion and kontakion of the Nativity are sung.

A hymn is heard in the temple, completing the service of Compline. This is the song of the holy righteous Simeon the God-Receiver, sung by him at the time of the Infant Jesus, brought by the Virgin Mary and the righteous Joseph on the fortieth day after birth to the Jerusalem temple for consecration to God, as custom required. The righteous Simeon and the prophetess Anna are an example of the last righteous of the Old Testament era, who lived in the hope of the coming into the world of the Messiah - Christ, and at the end of the day they saw this hope come true. The text of the hymn is taken from the Gospel. In Russian translation, it sounds like this: “Now you release Your servant, Lord, according to Your word in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, the Light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people, Israel.” This episode from the Gospel narrative is the meeting of the Divine Infant in the Jerusalem Temple, due to its special significance, it is celebrated by the Church as a great holiday. It is celebrated on February 15 according to the new style. And the event itself, according to the Gospel chronology, took place after the worship of the shepherds to the Born Divine Infant, but before worshiping Him, Eastern sages came from a distant country.

people of good will

Meanwhile, Matins begins in the temple. It, of course, should be performed in the morning, but since the Church prays to God at night on Christmas, it begins around midnight. At the beginning of the Six Psalms, the famous words of the Angelic Song are sung, which we will hear many times today in a variety of hymns both in the gospel and in the sermon: Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, goodwill towards men.

Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria, Father of the Church, who lived in the 12th century, interprets this part of the Gospel of Luke in this way: “What does the song of the Angels mean? Without a doubt, the gratitude of the high ranks and the joy that we, who live on earth, have been blessed. For they say: thank God, peace has now come on earth. Previously, human nature was at enmity with God, but now it has become so reconciled that it has become in union with God and united with Him in incarnation. So, do you see God's peace with man? It can be understood in another way. The Son of God Himself is the world, just as He speaks of Himself. And so, the very world, the Son of God, appeared on earth. And “good will in men,” that is, the repose of God. For now God has rested and found pleasing God in people, while before He did not favor and did not find pleasing in people.”

These words of an angelic song have the most interesting fate in the history of mankind. The fact is that in different Christian traditions of recording these gospel verses, the word "favor" - good will - was used in two forms - in the nominative case, and then the words meant that God's favor is in people, as we just read. But this word can be in the genitive case, and then the meaning changes a little, it turns out “in people of good will”, or in another way, in people of good, good will, there is peace. This expression "in people of good will" has become winged. It is used by both Christians and non-Christians, and even people far from religion.

After the solemn proclamation and singing of "God the Lord and appear to us" begins polyeles(in translation - "many mercy"). This part of Matins got its name from the content of Psalms 134 and 135, which glorify the mercy of God. The verses from these psalms are sung by the choir during the polyeleos: Praise the name of the Lord, praise the servant of the Lord. Alleluia. Blessed be the Lord from Zion, who lives in Jerusalem. Alleluia.

Majesty sounds under the vaults of the temple - a short chant glorifying the celebrated event: “We magnify, we magnify Thee, Life-Giver Christ, for the sake of us now in the flesh Born of the Blessed and Most Pure Virgin Mary.”

Patriarch Kirill descends from the pulpit - a special elevation in the middle of the temple, where he has been since the beginning of the service, to burn the icon of the holiday.

The image of the Nativity of Christ, which is now on the lectern, is special. In the jubilee year of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Christ, he was brought by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II from Bethlehem, the city where Christ was born. This icon is an exact copy of the image located in the cave of the Nativity of Christ.

We see how the deacon enters the altar and takes the Gospel from the throne. Choir performs degree and power antiphon. These hymns are part of the festive matins. They are compiled in imitation of the so-called. "powerful psalms" (Ps. 119-133), which in the days of the Old Testament were sung by pilgrims on the steps of the Jerusalem temple. antiphons- chants performed alternately, in imitation of the unceasing angelic choir that glorifies the Creator, the name indicating the way the chants are performed (from the Greek - “to sing alternately, alternating into two choirs”).

The All-Night Vigil on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ consists of great compline with lithium matins and 1st hour. Before it begins, there is a blagovest and a “chime in all”.

Great Compline consists of 3 parts. Each part begins with a reading Come let's bow down and ends with a special prayer.

Great Compline is performed as follows. The priest with the deacon, dressed, make the beginning, as in all the Lord's feasts. The royal doors open, and the deacon, having given the priest a censer, with a candle in his hand, goes out to the salt. After the exclamation of the priest: "Blessed is our God ..." the reader reads the usual beginning and other sequence of Great Compline. At this time, the priest, together with the deacon, performs a full incense of the temple, as at the beginning of the all-night vigil. At the end of the censing, the royal doors are closed.

First Part of Great Compline similar to that part of Matins, on which the Six Psalms are first read, then sung God Lord with troparia, and kathismas with sedals and litanies are chanted. This similarity indicates that Great Compline arose on the basis of the Six Psalms and subsequently expanded to a tripartite composition.

After the usual beginning, six psalms are read: 4th, 6th, 12th, and then psalms 24th, 30th and 90th.

The choir sings God with us.

The reader reads other verses (until verse 20: Father of the Future).

The choir sings to each verse: Like God is with us and after the final verse he concludes by singing: God with us.

Reader: Day last, I believe. Then - Most Holy Lady Theotokos, pray for us sinners, All heavenly powers of the holy angel and archangel pray etc.

Instead of troparia: Enlighten my eyes, Christ God and others the choir sings (the royal doors open for the time of singing the troparion).

Reader: Lord have mercy (40), most honest and the closing prayer of St. Basil the Great: Lord, Lord.

The first part is accompanied by a short The second part compline, which in its content is repentant.

Reader: Come let's bow down, psalms: 50th, 101st and the prayer of Manasseh, Trisagion according to Our Father. Instead of troparia: Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us and others the choir sings (the royal doors are opened for the time of singing the kontakion).

Reader: Lord have mercy (40), most honest and closing prayer: Lord God Father Almighty.

The third part consists of doxologies and praises to God and the saints of God. It is like that part of Matins during which the canon is sung.

Reader: Come let's bow down, psalms 69 and 142, and the daily doxology is read. Then there is an exit to the litia during singing (the usual ending of Great Compline is omitted here). After lithium - a holiday. By Now let go- (thrice), the blessing of the loaves and the 33rd psalm.

Matins.

After the Six Psalms, God Lord- (thrice), then - kathismas and.

According to polyeleos - greatness: We magnify Thee, Life-Giver Christ, for the sake of us now in the flesh born of the Blessed and Most Pure Virgin Mary.

Degree -1 antiphon 4 voices.

Prokimen, ch. four: And from the womb before the day of the day, Thy begotten, the Lord swears and will not repent. Verse: R the Lord to my Lord: sit at my right hand: until I put your enemies under your feet.

According to the 50th psalm instead of prayers sings: Glory: All joys are fulfilled today: Christ is born of the Virgin. And now- the same, but the end: Christ is born in Bethlehem. Have mercy on me God and verse: Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth! Today, Bethlehem welcomes him who sits ever with the Father.

The Great Doxology is sung, according to the Trisagion -.

At the end of Matins - festive leave Who was born in a den and lies down in a manger, for our salvation, Christ, our True God, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother and all the saints, will have mercy and save us, as He is Good and Lover of mankind.

Liturgy St. Basil the Great.

Entrance verse - holiday: From the womb, before the day, I gave birth to Thee, the Lord swears and does not repent: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Instead of the Trisagion, it is sung " Elites in Christ are baptized»

Christmas for a Christian is much more than a decorated tree and gifts. This day is considered the second most important after Easter, which is called the "Feast of Holidays". The Nativity of Christ is at the same time a global event that does not lose its importance despite the past centuries, and a very personal holiday for every Orthodox person. After all, Christ was born for everyone and for everyone.

Those who are well acquainted with Christianity understand that the incarnation of God on earth is a unique event that brought man closer to the creator. This holiday is filled with amazing joy and peace, but at the same time some sadness, because this baby was born for a difficult mission.

Therefore, the main thing in the celebration of Christmas is by no means a table bursting with dishes, although this is an important part of any holiday, but a Christmas service.

Many who come to this night service for the first time are concerned about how long the Christmas Divine Liturgy lasts, what is read and sung at this service. This article is intended to answer such questions.

What is the Christmas service?

The service begins late in the evening on Christmas Eve, that is, January 6th. At 11 pm, a festive service begins, which lasts until 3-4 am. From the All-Night Vigil, the Hours and the Divine Liturgy of Basil the Great, the Christmas service is formed. The liturgy is usually served in the morning, but the festive liturgies take place at night, immediately after the All-Night Vigil and the Hours. The same happens at Easter.

The All-night Vigil includes Matins and Compline. Do not be surprised that the names of the services do not correspond to the time of day. There is a daily cycle of services in the church, but on great holidays, the morning and evening services are combined into the All-Night Vigil. Matins is celebrated according to the order of the great feasts. It sings the canon "Christ is born ..."

Actually, the liturgy does not last so long and completes the entire cycle of festive services. Most likely, people who ask the question how long the Christmas Liturgy lasts in the temple have in mind the Christmas service as a whole. After all, those who pray come all night, and not at the end.

The text of the Christmas liturgy is in many respects similar to the texts of the liturgies on ordinary days. The Christmas one is distinguished by the festive antiphons sung on it: “The Lord sends the rod of power from Zion, and rule in the midst of Your enemies. With Thee began on the day of Thy power in the lordship of Thy saints.

Communion at Christmas

It is celebrated at the Christmas Liturgy and Communion. For many Christians, a very joyful event is not only the presence at the festive services, but also Communion at them.

Confession at this service does not take place in all churches, because it is long and intense, many people come to the church, and in some places only one or two priests serve.

Most often, confession before the Christmas Liturgy is held in advance, 1-2 days in advance. In some churches there is even an opportunity to take communion twice after one confession. For example, confessions are made on the evening of January 3rd, and communion takes place at liturgies on the morning of 4th and at night of 7th. It is important to read the Announcement to Holy Communion both times.

Getting ready right

How to prepare for the Christmas Liturgy? Christmas Eve is spent in a strict fast, it is not necessary to starve to the first star. This tradition has been going on since the time when Vespers began after dinner, and after it followed the liturgy of Basil the Great, which ended already at dark time. After it, it was possible to eat food, and this is precisely what “until the first star” meant.

So it is much more important to visit the temple on January 6, if possible, and not to starve. The opposite tradition - to cook 12 Lenten dishes on this day - is also not established by the church, and it is better to spend this day calmly, prayerfully and with concentration, and not in a fuss. But you can cook sochivo - a dish of wheat grains and honey. The best preparation for the Christmas Liturgy in the church will be reading spiritual literature, studying the upcoming service. This will give strength in a long service, because everything that is sung and read will become clear.

But putting candles and kissing the icons when the temple is full is not at all necessary.

Holiday symbolism

All Christmas traditions, which were later transferred to the celebration of the New Year, have a deep meaning. For example, a Christmas tree is a symbol of eternal life due to its evergreen needles. On top of it is put on an eight-pointed star, usually silver or gold, which is reminiscent of Bethlehem. It was in Soviet times that it was replaced with a five-pointed and red one. On Christmas Eve, it is customary to put a burning candle on the windowsill - a sign that we are waiting for Christ, lighting the way in the winter darkness.

Gifts of the Magi

At the Christmas Liturgy, an excerpt from the Gospel of the Adoration of the Magi is read. By the way, the custom of giving gifts at Christmas is connected precisely with this episode of Holy Scripture. Just as the Magi presented their gifts to the Christ Child, so we also give gifts to each other. These gifts - gold, frankincense and myrrh (myrrh) - are symbolic. Gold was presented to the Child as a King, frankincense as God, myrrh as a Man who will suffer and die, because this substance was used to embalm the buried bodies.

Symbols of preparation for Christmas

To dive deeper into the meaning of the holiday, let's go back a little. The prefeast of Christmas, that is, special church services that precede the holiday, lasts from January 2 to January 6. For other holidays, the prefeast lasts only 1 day. And interestingly, church services in the period leading up to Christmas have a parallel with the texts of the services of Holy Week. This reminds us that the Incarnation of the Savior is the first step towards His redemptive mission.

Moreover, the very birth in the form of a defenseless child is a huge step of God towards people, a temporary renunciation of his unlimited power, as it is called in Theology - kenosis (from the Greek. Condescension).

The Baby was born not in the royal chambers, but in a manger; Mary and Joseph did not even find a place in a hotel. The world did not meet him well. Persecution of the future Messiah began from birth. King Herod, who learned from the Magi about who was born in Bethlehem, arranged for the massacre of babies, because he was afraid that the new King would take away his power. Mary and Joseph with the baby managed to escape to Egypt.

Peace in the soul

No one was aware that Jesus was not born for earthly power. “My kingdom is not of this world,” said the Savior. The Kingdom of Heaven will not come on earth until the end of time. But we can open our hearts to Christ, and then He will reign in our hearts and there will be peace. After all, according to Christ, "the Kingdom of God is within you."

You can strive for this at any time of the year and at any period of life, and Orthodox holidays will remind you of the most important thing - about God, about love, about our own soul. If the Nativity of Christ left just such a trace in a person, it means that it was not in vain for him and he met him correctly, regardless of whether he observed any traditions.

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 in 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 begins, 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 begins 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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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 independently 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.