Christmas

==Choice of date==
{{main|Date of birth of Jesus}}
[[File:ChristAsSol.jpg|thumb|right|Mosaic in Mausoleum M in the pre-fourth-century necropolis under [[St Peter's Basilica]] in Rome, interpreted by some as Jesus represented as {{lang|la|Christus Sol}} ('Christ the Sun').<ref>Kelly, Joseph F., ''The Origins of Christmas'', Liturgical Press, 2004, pp. 67–69.</ref>]]

There are two main theories behind December 25 becoming the traditional date for Christmas, although Theology professor Susan Roll says that "No liturgical historian{{nbsp}}[...] goes so far as to deny that it has any sort of relation with the sun, the [[winter solstice]] and the popularity of [[solar worship]] in the later Roman Empire".<ref>Roll, p.107</ref> December 25 was the date of the [[winter solstice]] in the Roman calendar.<ref name="Forsythe"/> Some early Christian writers noted the solar symbolism in placing Jesus's birthday at the winter solstice and [[Saint John's Eve|John's birthday]] at the [[summer solstice]].<ref name="Hijmans">Hijmans, S.E., ''[https://www.scribd.com/doc/33490806/Hijmans-Sol-The-Sun-in-the-Art-and-Religions-of-Rome Sol, the sun in the art and religions of Rome],'' 2009, p. 595. {{ISBN|978-90-367-3931-3}} {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510231050/http://www.scribd.com/doc/33490806/Hijmans-Sol-The-Sun-in-the-Art-and-Religions-of-Rome |date=May 10, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Bradshaw"/> 

The 'history of religions' theory suggests the Church chose December 25 as Christ's birthday ({{lang|la|dies Natalis Christi}})<ref>Kelly, Joseph F., ''The Origins of Christmas'', Liturgical Press, p.80</ref> to appropriate the Roman winter solstice festival {{lang|la|dies Natalis Solis Invicti}} (birthday of {{lang|la|[[Sol Invictus]]}}, the 'Invincible Sun'), held on this date since 274 AD.<ref name="Forsythe"/><ref name="Bradshaw"/> The early Church linked Jesus Christ to the Sun and referred to him as the 'Sun of Righteousness' ({{lang|la|Sol Justitiae}}) prophesied by [[Malachi]].<ref name=hijmans>Hijmans, S.E., ''Sol: The Sun in the Art and Religions of Rome,'' 2009, p. 584.</ref><ref name="Malachi">{{bibleverse|Malachi|4:2|ESV}}</ref> Gary Forsythe, Professor of Ancient History, says that the {{lang|la|Natalis Solis Invicti}} followed "the seven-day period of the {{lang|la|[[Saturnalia]]}} (December 17–23), Rome's most joyous holiday season since [[Roman Republic|Republican times]], characterized by parties, banquets, and exchanges of gifts".<ref name="Forsythe"/>

Another theory, the 'computation hypothesis' or 'calculation theory',<ref name="Bradshaw"/> notes that December 25 is nine months after March 25, a date chosen as Jesus's conception (the [[Annunciation]]) and the date of the [[March equinox|spring equinox]] on the Roman calendar.<ref name="Bradshaw"/><ref name="Melton2011">{{cite book |last1=Melton |first1=J. Gordon |title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations |date=2011 |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|isbn=978-1-59884-206-7 |page=39 |language=en |quote=The March 25 date, which tied together the beginning of Mary's pregnancy and the incarnation of God in Jesus as occurring nine months before Christmas (December 25), supplied the rationale for setting the beginning of the ecclesiastical and legal year.{{nbsp}}[...] Both the Anglicans and the Lutherans have continued to observe the March 25 date for celebrating the Annunciation.}}</ref>

=== Date according to Julian calendar ===

Some jurisdictions of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], including those of [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russia]], [[Georgian Orthodox Church|Georgia]], [[Macedonian Orthodox Church|Macedonia]], [[Montenegrin Orthodox Church|Montenegro]], [[Serbian Orthodox Church|Serbia]], and [[Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]], mark feasts using the older [[Julian calendar]]. As of {{currentyear}}, there is a difference of 13 days between the Julian calendar and the modern [[Gregorian calendar]], which is used internationally for most secular purposes. As a result, December 25 on the Julian calendar currently corresponds to January 7 on the calendar used by most governments and people in everyday life. Therefore, the aforementioned Orthodox Christians mark December 25 (and thus Christmas) on the day that is internationally considered to be January 7.<ref name="Jan7">{{cite web |url=http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/coptic_calendar/nativitydate.html |title=The Glorious Feast of Nativity: 7 January? 29 Kiahk? 25 December? |publisher=Coptic Orthodox Church Network |first=John |last=Ramzy |access-date=January 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228051302/http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/coptic_calendar/nativitydate.html |archive-date=December 28, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

However, following the [[Council of Constantinople (1923)|Council of Constantinople in 1923]],<ref name ="nationalgeographic">{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/why-celebrate-christmas-january |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416232858/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/why-celebrate-christmas-january |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |title=Why some people celebrate Christmas in January |last=Blakemore |first=Erin |date=December 26, 2019 |website=www.nationalgeographic.com |publisher=National Geographic Partners LLC |access-date=July 26, 2022}}</ref> other Orthodox Christians, such as those belonging to the jurisdictions of [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople|Constantinople]], [[Bulgarian Orthodox Church|Bulgaria]], [[Church of Greece|Greece]], [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Romania]], [[Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch|Antioch]], [[Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Alexandria]], [[Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania|Albania]], [[Church of Cyprus|Cyprus]], [[Finnish Orthodox Church|Finland]], and the [[Orthodox Church in America]], among others, began using the [[Revised Julian calendar]], which at present corresponds exactly to the Gregorian calendar.<ref name=4Dates>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/bethlehem-christmas|title=Christmas in Bethlehem|website=www.sacred-destinations.com|access-date=June 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616161715/http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/bethlehem-christmas|archive-date=June 16, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Therefore, these Orthodox Christians mark December 25 (and thus Christmas) on the same day that is internationally considered to be December 25.

A further complication is added by the fact that the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] continues the original ancient [[Eastern Christianity|Eastern Christian]] practice of celebrating the birth of Christ not as a separate holiday, but on the same day as the celebration of his baptism ([[Epiphany (holiday)#Oriental Orthodox|Theophany]]), which is on January 6. This is a public holiday in Armenia, and it is held on the same day that is internationally considered to be January 6, because since 1923 the Armenian Church in Armenia has used the Gregorian calendar.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Do Armenians Celebrate Christmas on January 6th? |url=https://armenianchurch.org.uk/why-do-armenians-celebrate-christmas-on-january-6th/ |access-date=August 13, 2022 |website=armenianchurch.org}}</ref>

However, there is also a small [[Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem]], which maintains the traditional Armenian custom of celebrating the birth of Christ on the same day as Theophany (January 6), but uses the Julian calendar for the determination of that date. As a result, this church celebrates "Christmas" (more properly called Theophany) on the day that is considered January 19 on the Gregorian calendar in use by the majority of the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Christmas is here- yet again! |url=https://m.jpost.com/christian-news/christmas-is-here-yet-again-386813 |access-date=August 13, 2022 |work=Jerusalem Post}}</ref>

Following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|2022 invasion of its territory by Russia]], [[Ukraine]] officially moved its Christmas date from January 7 to December 25, to distance itself from the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] that had supported Russia's invasion.<ref name="ukraine-date">{{cite news |last1=Lukiv |first1=Jaroslav |title=Ukraine moves Christmas Day in snub to Russia |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66341617 |access-date=December 15, 2023 |work=BBC News |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=July 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2023 |title=Ukraine moves official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25, denouncing Russian-imposed traditions |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-christmas-orthodox-church-calendar-b658c9ebecc91a470866c34b1c1847eb |access-date=July 31, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> This followed the [[Orthodox Church of Ukraine]] formally adopting the [[Revised Julian calendar]] for fixed feasts and solemnities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=RFE/RL |title=Orthodox Church Of Ukraine Approves Calendar Switch In Widening Diversion From Russia |language=en |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/orthodox-church-ukraine-approves-calendar-switch-russia/32426292.html |access-date=June 18, 2023}}</ref>

=== Table of dates ===
There are four different dates used by different Christian groups to mark the birth of Christ, given in the table below.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Church or section
! Calendar
! Date
! Gregorian date
! Note
|-
| [[Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem]]
| Julian calendar
| January 6
| January 19
| Correspondence between Julian January 6 and Gregorian January 19 holds until 2100; in the following century the difference will be one day more.
|-
| [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], [[Armenian Evangelical Church]]
| Gregorian calendar
| January 6
| January 6
|
|-
| [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] jurisdictions, including those of [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople|Constantinople]], [[Bulgarian Orthodox Church|Bulgaria]], [[Ukraine]]<ref name="bbc-ukr-dec-25">{{cite web|title=Ukraine moves Christmas Day in snub to Russia|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66341617|date=July 28, 2023|access-date=July 28, 2023|first=Jaroslav|last=Lukiv|language=en|website=BBC News}}</ref> (state holiday, [[Orthodox Church of Ukraine|Orthodox]] and [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church|Greek Catholic]]), [[Church of Greece|Greece]], [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Romania]], [[Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch|Antioch]], [[Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Alexandria]], [[Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania|Albania]], [[Church of Cyprus|Cyprus]], [[Finnish Orthodox Church|Finland]], the [[Orthodox Church in America]].
Also, the [[Ancient Church of the East]], [[Syriac Orthodox Church]], [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church|Indian Orthodox Church]].
| [[Revised Julian calendar]]
| December 25
| December 25
| Revised Julian calendar was agreed at the 1923 Council of Constantinople.<ref name ="nationalgeographic"/>
Although it follows the Julian calendar, the Ancient Church of the East decided on 2010 to celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar date.
|-
| Other Eastern Orthodox: [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russia]], [[Georgian Orthodox Church|Georgia]], [[Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)]], [[Macedonian Orthodox Church|Macedonia]], [[Belarusian Orthodox Church|Belarus]], Moldova, Montenegro, [[Serbian Orthodox Church|Serbia]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]].
Also, some [[Greek Byzantine Catholic Church|Byzantine Rite Catholics]] and [[Byzantine Rite Lutheranism|Byzantine Rite Lutherans]].
| Julian calendar
| December 25
| January 7
| Correspondence between Julian December 25 and Gregorian January 7 of the following year holds until 2100; from 2101 to 2199 the difference will be one day more.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
|-
| [[Coptic Orthodox Church]]
| [[Coptic calendar]]
| [[Koiak]] 29 or 28 (December 25)
| January 7
| After the Coptic insertion of a leap day in what for the Julian calendar is August (September in Gregorian), Christmas is celebrated on Koiak 28 in order to maintain the exact interval of nine 30-day months and 5 days of the child's gestation.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
|- id="Genna"
| [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]] (sole date), [[Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church]] (sole date), and [[P'ent'ay|P'ent'ay (Ethiopian-Eritrean Evangelical) Churches]] (primary date)
| [[Ethiopian calendar]]
| [[Ethiopian Calendar|Tahsas]] 29 or 28 (December 25)
| January 7
| {{Further|Ethiopian Christmas}}After the Ethiopian and Eritrean insertion of a leap day in what for the Julian calendar is August (September in Gregorian), Christmas (also called Liddet or Gena, also Ledet or Genna)<ref>[http://ethiopianorthodox.org/english/calendar.html The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Faith and Order - Religious Holidays and Calendar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029183552/http://www.ethiopianorthodox.org/english/calendar.html |date=October 29, 2021 }}></ref> is celebrated on Tahsas 28 in order to maintain the exact interval of nine 30-day months and 5 days of the child's gestation.<ref>Siegbert Uhlig, ''Encyclopaedia Aethiopica'' He-N, p. 538</ref>
Most Protestants ([[P'ent'ay]]/Evangelicals) in the diaspora have the option of choosing the [[Ethiopian calendar]] ([[Ethiopian Calendar|Tahsas]] 29/January 7) or the [[Gregorian calendar]] (December 25) for religious holidays, with this option being used when the corresponding [[Eastern Christianity|eastern celebration]] is not a public holiday in the western world (with most diaspora Protestants celebrating both days).{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}
|-
| Most [[Western Christianity|Western Christian churches]], most [[Eastern Catholic churches]] and civil calendars; also the [[Assyrian Church of the East]].
| Gregorian calendar
| December 25
| December 25
| The Assyrian Church of the East adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1964.
|}