Christian feast

Orthodox Christmas

חג המולד האורתודוקסי (7 בינואר)

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

7 January on the Gregorian calendar (25 December on the Julian one). A public holiday in Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Belarus and parts of Ethiopia.

When & where

Orthodox Christmas by country — 2026

In most countries the date is the same: Thursday 7 January 2027. A few move it to the nearest weekday.

Europe

Africa

EritreaThursday 7 January 2027

Asia

For the traveller

How it affects a trip

Most of these countries also mark 1 January, so early January is a long run of holidays and reduced service. Plan shopping and transfers around it.

Q&A

Answers to your questions

When is Orthodox Christmas in 2026?

Thursday 7 January 2027 — the same date in 9 countries.

Which countries observe Orthodox Christmas as a public holiday?

Moldova, Eritrea, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo.

What's closed on Orthodox Christmas?

In countries where it's a public holiday: banks, government offices and most shops close, and public transport shifts to a weekend timetable. Museums and attractions vary — check each one.

Is it a good time to travel around Orthodox Christmas?

Most of these countries also mark 1 January, so early January is a long run of holidays and reduced service. Plan shopping and transfers around it.

About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Holiday dates: date-holidays · Background: Around the World

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