Patriarch Aleksey II to perform divine service on Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, January 6, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Aleksey II will perform solemn divine services in the cathedral of Christ the Savior.
As press-service of Moscow patriarchate informed, liturgy of Saint Vasily the Great will start at 9:00 a.m. in main cathedral of capital.
On night of January 6 to 7 leader of Russian Orthodox Church will head great compline, matins and divine liturgy. The start of solemn divine services, devoted to Christmas, is at 22:00.
According to regulations of Orthodox Church, the advent, which starts on November 28 and lasts for 40 days till January 6, is kept before Christmas holiday.
On Christmas Eve devout believers don`t eat at all and go to cathedral by 22:00, where they meet Christmas holiday. After first star appears on the sky - symbol of Bethlehem star - one can eat sochivo (lenten fare of corn or rice decoction with honey or fruits).
By teaching of church, the Christmas holiday symbolizes the reconciliation of human with God. The Christmas foretells the purifying deed of Jesus Christ and renovation of human nature, spoilt by the Fall of ancestry.
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