Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Christmas by attending church services.
Although most of the Christian world celebrates Christmas Day on December 25, for many of the world’s 200 million Orthodox Christians, the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated on January 7.
This is because they follow the Julian calendar, unlike the Christian sects that follow the Gregorian calendar.
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A woman in the Syrian capital Damascus receives Holy Communion at the Armenian Apostolic Church in Mar Sarkis. This is the first Christmas that the people of Syria have celebrated since the fall of their long-time ruler – former President Bashar al-Assad.
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In Egypt, a priest representing the Coptic Orthodox Church – the largest Christian community in the Middle East – walks past worshipers at the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo.
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A young worshiper lights a candle during Orthodox Christmas Eve celebrations in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
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Previously, believers and religious leaders gathered at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, which is said to be the birthplace of Jesus.
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Ethiopian worshipers held candles and sang hymns at the Bole Medhanialem Church in Addis Ababa.
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Millions of Russians celebrate Christmas and President Vladimir Putin (left) celebrated the holiday season at Moscow’s St George’s Church.
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Festive decorations can be seen on the streets of Moscow.
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In the Serbian capital, Belgrade, Prince Philip was shown holding a burning oak branch or badnjak in a traditional ceremony.
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In the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenian apostolic Christians attended a service at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral.
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Georgian Christians come to celebrate with candles in Tbilisi.
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