The feast of the Nativity of Christ is one of the most revered in the Christian Orthodox Church. This holy day is marked by a special solemn divine service that 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 approximately until 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, hours and the divine liturgy of John Chrysostom are served. The All-Night Vigil begins not with the usual Vespers, but with the follow-up of Compline. Most of the liturgical texts of this service are proofread. However, there is a main solemn festive chant in the Christmas supper. It includes singing in chorus of verses from the prophetic book of Isaiah that God himself is present with people today, who is great and strong. The Lord is called in this hymn the Father of the age to come. This chant begins with the words "God is with us, understand the heathens and repent, as God is with us." The festive chant itself is called briefly after the first words of Isaiah's prophecy - "God is with us."
A festive Christmas Vespers joins the Great Vespers. It begins with a lithium. Litia is a part of the divine service in which bread, vegetable oil (oil), wheat and wine are consecrated.
At the end of Vespers, a festive Matins service is held in Orthodox churches, at which the choir sings many solemn hymns. For example, polyeleos, great praise. At Matins, an excerpt from the Gospel is read, which tells about the event of the Nativity of Christ.
Matins is joined by the first hour (a short service consisting of the recitation of three psalms and some prayers). This is how the festive all-night vigil ends. This is followed by the succession of the third and sixth hour and the Divine Liturgy.
The Liturgy on Christmas Day is served for about one and a half to two hours. At this service, an excerpt from the gospel about the Nativity of Jesus Christ is read, after which the priest proclaims a congratulatory word from the Patriarch of Moscow in honor of the celebration of the holiday. Another epistle (from the ruling bishop of the diocese) is announced to the faithful after the festive divine service.
Some Orthodox Christians have the custom of taking communion at the festive liturgy. This tradition is ancient and considered to be very pious.
