Old-style Orthodox Christians mark Birth of God

Chisinau, 7 January /MOLDPRES/ - The old-style Orthodox Christians today mark the Birth of God – Christmas.  

On this occasion, hundreds of believers gathered at the Chisinau-based Birth of God Cathedral to attend a holy Liturgy officiated by a group of priests led by Metropolitan of Chisinau and All Moldova, Most Right Reverend Vladimir.  

During the Liturgy, the secretary of the Metropolitan See, archpriest Vadim Cheibas read a pastoral letter by Most Right Reverend Vladimir for Christians on the Birth of God holiday.  

“Christmas brings us light in homes, peace and acceptance between people. On this occasion, I urge you to fight for the preservation of our faith and accept Christ in you souls. On the occasion of celebrating the winter holidays, I wish all believers of Moldova and from abroad happiness and spiritual progress, in order to learn The True Light, which lights every man coming into the world,” the pastoral letter reads.   

The Orthodox Christians from Moldova mark the Birth of God on 7 January. There is a tradition in Moldova to wait the Christmas Eve with bread. Housewives cook small fancy breads in the shape of the figure eight for this holiday. The breads are hanged at icons along with basil flowers and are kept till the holiday of St. George, when they are given to animals, to be protected from evil.     

Christmas is one of the Twelve Great Feasts and is preceded by a period of fasting which lasts 40 days. Children are singing carols on this day.   

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Raileanu)