Catholic Christmas On December 25, Western Christians – Catholic, Protestant denominations and Orthodox of several countries – celebrate one of the most important Christian holidays — Christmas. This holiday is a state holiday in more than 100 countries of the world. Christmas is preceded by a 40-day fast, the strictest day of which is the last. The day before Christmas Eve, on Christmas Eve, it is customary to refuse food until the first star appears in the sky. The meal usually begins with sochiva – wheat and barley grains boiled with honey. On the eve of the holiday, Old Testament prophecies and events related to Christmas of the Savior. Christmas services are performed three times: at midnight, at dawn and during the day, which symbolizes the Nativity of Christ in the bosom of God the Father, in the womb of the Mother of God and in the soul of every Christian. The
