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At Saint Mary’s Orthodox church in Painted Post, Father Daniel Mahler is preparing to celebrate Christmas Eve mass - on January 6th.
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We are celebrating Christ’s birth.
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While many Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th - Orthodox christians mark the holiday on January 7th.
Father Mahler says that’s because of a change that dates back to the 16th century, when Pope Gregory the 13th decided to correct a calendar established by Julius Ceasar.
That created a new Gregorian calendar, that was 13 days ahead.
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For us, we’re on the old Julian calendar.
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Neither are perfect. In fact there are flaws they found in the Gregorian calendar now, and they would like to correct them.
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For Christians who follow the Gregorian Calendar, today is known as the feast of the epiphany. A day that celebrates the physical manifestation of God as baby Jesus.
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January 6th is also known as Three Kings day, referencing the Three Wise men who visited baby Jesus after his birth, bringing precious gifts.
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Father Mahler says orthodox christians will mark the feast of epiphany on January 19th - focusing on the celebration of Jesus’s baptism.
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The feast is important for a number of reasons but the primary reason, you gotta realize Christ was baptised in Jordan by John the baptist, thats a celebration of that feast.
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This orthodox Christmas Eve, Father Mahler says he has a clear message for his congregation.
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That Christ is real, God is real.
God is with us, and we need that message out today more than any other message around
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In Painted Post, ND 18 News.
