The Nativity of Christ is one of the twelve major holidays of Orthodoxy and the most revered among all believers.
Festive services in the churches of South Ossetia were held on the night of January 6-7, where a large number of believers traditionally gathered. Many came with the children to pray for their relatives and friends. Head of state Anatoly Bibilov attended the night festive service in the Church of the Most Holy Trinity of the Russian Orthodox Church along with parishioners. The divine service was conducted by Father Sergiy (Kokoev).
“Every year we are looking forward to our favorite holiday with the whole family - Christmas. The holiday is especially bright for us, today I came with my husband and son. I would like to congratulate the people of South Ossetia and all believers on this holiday, wish everyone health, goodness and peace,” Natalia, a resident of Tskhinval, shared with IA “Res”
In the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in honor of the great Christian holiday, a cross procession took place, where hundreds of believers marched around the church with lighted candles.
The divine service in the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos was conducted by the priest of the Alanian Diocese, Father Jacob (Khetagurov). The Orthodox of South Ossetia were able to meet the Nativity of Christ in the church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Kings Constantine and Helena of the Alan Diocese, as well as in the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Khetagurovo.
According to one of the participants in the procession, on the holiday of Christmas, believers should present God with the most important gift - love.
“After all, the Lord does not need anything material from us, therefore, on Christmas one should try to do good deeds and help others. Merry Christmas to all residents of our country,” said a Arina.
On the eve of January 6, Christmas Eve or the Eve of the Nativity of Christ was celebrated in the churches; on this day, festive services were also held in the churches.
It should be reminded, that the holiday of the Nativity of Christ tells about the events of more than two thousand years ago. Then the pregnant Mary (Mother of God) came to Bethlehem with her husband Joseph, who was not the “native” father of Jesus. Christians believe that Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, immaculate - thus, the baby Jesus became the son of both man and God. There were no places in the Bethlehem hotels for Joseph and Mary, so they spent the night in a cave intended for cattle - there Jesus was born. In the cave, lying in a manger, the baby Jesus is depicted on icons and in nativity scenes. The first to see the newborn were the shepherds who were nearby: an angel informed them about the birth of the Savior. And even earlier, the Magi went to Bethlehem with the gifts, because they saw in the sky a phenomenon that is now called the Star of Bethlehem.
Following the Nativity of Christ, is the twelve-eighth non-passing Orthodox holiday, which will be celebrated on January 19 in South Ossetia - the Epiphany (Epiphany).
