The Orthodox Christians who follow the old church calendar on January 7 celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ who came to save the human race from pagan bondage. Contacted by IPN for a comment, Nicolae Ciobanu, bishop of the church located in Cruglic village of Criuleni district, said that the Feast of the Nativity urges us, first of all, to say prayers of thanksgiving for the fact that Christ came to save us and, through His birth, a new era in Christianity begins. Every person who follows God can live eternally in heaven, in the Lord’s Kingdom, said the priest.
On the eve of the Nativity, there is a beautiful tradition of caroling. Grandchildren go to their grandparents, while children visit their parents and bring the news of the Birth of Christ. Also, the priest goes to all the houses in the locality to announce the Nativity and sprinkle holy water on the houses of the parishioners. On this day, all the faithful are expected to go to the church. The churches will have their doors wide open for the Divine Liturgy to be officiated and all the parishioners can say prayers of thanksgiving. The faithful can take communion every Sunday, on every feast day, during every Divine Liturgy and also on the Feast of the Nativity.
Nicolae Ciobanu said that every parishioner, before the Feast of the Nativity, should fast, confess and then take communion. It is also customary during fasting to celebrate the Mystery of Holy Unction and, after the faithful are prepared spiritually, on the feast day, on the day of the Nativity, they also prepare bodily, putting the tastiest dishes on the table. There is no rule what food should be prepared. There is no other fasting period until January 18, when it is the eve of the Baptism of the Lord. “The most important thing is for us to understand that everything must be done moderately. Food should be eaten in moderation. If we permit ourselves to consume alcohol, it should only ever be consumed in moderation,” stated the priest.
On the day after Christmas, January 8, it is celebrated the Sobor of the Theotokos.
