Great feast
Nativity of Christ (Christmas)
Kept on December 25 on the New Calendar and on January 7 (civil date) on the Old Calendar.
About the feast
The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. It follows the forty-day Nativity Fast and opens the Twelve Days, which are fast-free.
Dates
| Year | New Calendar | Old Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||
| 2027 | ||
| 2028 | ||
| 2029 | ||
| 2030 |
Fasting on the day
In 2026 (New Calendar) the rule for this day is Fast-free. See the December 2026 fasting calendar.
Follow your parish
These are the general fasting rules of the Orthodox Church, computed for both calendars. Local custom, age, health, pregnancy and your priest’s guidance come first — when in doubt, ask your priest.