What's happened
Many Orthodox Christian communities celebrate Christmas on January 7 due to their use of the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. This difference stems from calendar reforms in 1582 and ongoing traditions in regions like Russia, Greece, and Egypt.
What's behind the headline?
The calendar discrepancy underscores deeper cultural and religious identities. The use of the Julian calendar by Orthodox churches is a symbol of tradition and resistance to Western influence. This divergence influences regional religious practices, with some communities, like Ukraine, shifting to December 25, while others maintain January 7. The continued observance of Old Christmas highlights the importance of historical continuity in faith practices. The 13-day gap will increase to 14 days by 2101, further entrenching this divide. This calendar split also impacts regional identity, political relations, and cultural heritage, making it more than just a date difference. It will likely persist as a marker of religious and cultural distinction, even as globalized calendars become more standardized. The ongoing adherence to the Julian calendar by major Orthodox churches ensures that the January 7 celebration remains a significant religious event, reinforcing regional identities and traditions that resist Westernization.
What the papers say
The Independent articles from January 7, 2026, explain that the calendar difference is rooted in historical reforms, with the Julian calendar being less accurate than the Gregorian. The articles detail how the Russian Orthodox Church, along with others like the Serbian and Ethiopian Orthodox churches, continue to observe Christmas on January 7, while many Greek and Western churches celebrate on December 25. The New Arab emphasizes the regional and cultural reasons behind the date, noting that the Julian calendar's inaccuracy has led to a 13-day lag, which will increase over time. Al Jazeera provides context on how these traditions are maintained despite the calendar's scientific shortcomings, highlighting the cultural significance of Old Christmas for about 250 million Christians worldwide. The articles collectively illustrate that the date difference is less about the actual birth date of Jesus and more about religious identity, tradition, and regional history.
How we got here
The divergence in Christmas dates originates from the adoption of different calendars. The Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582 to improve astronomical accuracy, replaced the Julian calendar, which was less precise. Many Orthodox churches, especially in Russia, Serbia, and Ethiopia, continue to follow the Julian calendar, causing their Christmas to fall on January 7. This practice preserves longstanding religious traditions and regional identities, despite the calendar's inaccuracy. The split reflects broader historical and cultural differences between Western and Eastern Christian communities.
Go deeper
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The Julian calendar, proposed by Julius Caesar in AUC 708, was a reform of the Roman calendar. It took effect on 1 January AUC 709, by edict. It was designed with the aid of Greek mathematicians and astronomers such as Sosigenes of Alexandria.
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The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most of the world. It is named after Pope Gregory XIII, who introduced it in October 1582.
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Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A liturgical feast central to Christianity, Christmas preparation