The feast of the Nativity of Christ in the Christian Orthodox Church is one of the most revered. This holy day is marked by a special solemn service, which takes place in all Orthodox churches.
The service for the feast of the Nativity of Christ begins late in the evening of January 6th. Usually at 11 o’clock after midnight in all Orthodox churches a special festive service is held, which lasts until about 3 - 4 o’clock in the morning.
On the feast of the Nativity of Christ on the night of the event, an all-night vigil, clock and divine liturgy of John Chrysostom are served. An all-night vigil does not begin with the usual evening, but with a follow-up of a haunt. Most of the liturgical texts of this service are deductible. However, at the Christmas carriage there is the main solemn festive chant. It includes singing in a choir of verses from the prophetic book of Isaiah that God himself is present with people, who is great and strong. The Lord is called in this hymn the Father of the future age. This chant begins with the words "God is with us, understand the tongues and repent, as God is with us." The festive chant itself is referred to briefly in the first words of Isaiah's prophecy - "God is with us."
A festive Christmas Vespers joins the grand feast. It starts with lithium. Lithium is a part of worship where bread, vegetable oil (oil), wheat and wine are blessed.
At the end of Vespers in Orthodox churches, the service of the festive matins is celebrated, at which the choir performs many solemn chants. For example, polyeleis, a great praise. In the Matins, a passage from the gospel is read, narrating about the event of the Nativity of Christ.
The first hour joins the matins (a short service consisting of the reading of three psalms and some prayers). Thus ends the festive all-night vigil. The followings of the third and sixth hours and the divine liturgy follow.
The liturgy for the Nativity of Christ is served for approximately one and a half to two hours. An excerpt from the gospel about the Nativity of Jesus Christ is read at this service, after which the priest declares a congratulatory word from the Patriarch of Moscow in honor of the celebration of the holiday. Another message (of the ruling bishop of the diocese) is announced to believers after the festive service.
Some Orthodox Christians have a custom to receive communion at the festive liturgy. This tradition is ancient, it is considered very pious.
