The Orthodox Christians who follow the old calendar observe Christmas on January 7. Priest Octavian Moșin, of the Meeting of God Church of the State University of Moldova, said the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated after 40 days of fasting and prayer and this feast day is a day of joy that we should share primarily with those in need.  

“We have spent 40 days fasting and praying and have prepared for this important feast day of the Nativity. It is a day of joy as it is an awaited event, like the birth of a child in a family,” the priest stated for IPN.

He noted that this feast day is celebrated by carols. The birth of Jesus Christ is the start of our salvation as the first humans brought sin and death to this world, while Virgin Marry gave birth to the Savior. “God turned into human for the humans to reach God. This is probably the meaning of incarnation,” said the priest.

According to Octavian Moșin, the Nativity is a bright day as we associate it with the period of innocence, when we are pure and innocent in childhood. “Through the birth of Jesus Christ, we also want to be purer and be like Christ as Christ is the axis of our life. He is in the center of our life. When God is in the front place, all the other things are in their place,” stated the priest.  

He said the people should go to church on Christmas and should thank God for all the things they enjoyed  and share their joy with those around, not necessarily by gifts, but with love and with emotional support, by smiles and hugs that do not cost money.

The last population census shows over 90% of the inhabitants of the Republic of Moldova consider themselves Orthodox Christians.