In the Orthodox Church in Slovakia, the 40-day fasting period before the Christmas holidays culminates these days. Believers observe abstinence from meat and dairy products during it.
Believers of this church, which follows the Julian calendar, they start celebrating Christmas on Tuesday, January 6when the holy liturgy is held in Orthodox churches in the forenoon. In the early evening, there are services known as the Great Supper.
The Christmas dinner of Orthodox believers consists of Lenten dishes such as cabbage without sausage, beans or pies. There is bread, honey and garlic on the table. The following day, January 7, is the great feast of the Nativity of Isus Christos (Jesus Christ) in the Orthodox Church. In the morning, a solemn holy liturgy is held in the temples. This holiday in the church is followed by the Feast of the Most Holy Theotokos on January 8, and on January 9, the Orthodox will commemorate the first martyr, St. Stefan.
Orthodox in the Czech Republic and Slovakia (with the exception of some municipalities in eastern Slovakia) follow the Julian calendarlike, for example, the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Serbia, Georgia and other countries.
