January 6 (Dec. 24, Old Style) – Day Vigil of Christmas or Christmas Eve – the last day of the 40 days of Advent on the eve of Christmas.
The name “Eve” is derived, is believed to be from the word “sochivo” (the same as kolivo – boiled rice grains or wheat). Sochivo eat or kolivo was laid on the eve only after the liturgy (worship). Orthodox Christians was the custom not to eat food until the first evening star, a phenomenon reminiscent of the star in the East, heralded the birth of Jesus Christ, but this tradition liturgical charter is prescribed.
Canon celebration of Christmas was finally formed in IV century. In modern liturgical practice eve celebration in the temple Royal Hours are read, remembered the Old Testament prophecies and events related to the birth of Jesus Christ.
Chin made the Royal hours Cyril of Alexandria in the IV century. Royal they are called that because in the Church of Constantinople were attended by all the emperors court. Royal Hours are committed with the royal doors open (the main gates of the iconostasis), of the temple, before the Gospel, laid on the lectern (high table with a sloping top, which put icons or liturgical books).
In Orthodox Christmas Eve Christians remember the Gospel story of the Adoration of the Magi from the East Infant Christ Jesus. Eastern sages newborn brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold was brought to Christ as King, incense – as God and myrrh – as a person for burial.
Typicon (Church liturgical book containing the order of the commission and the image of church services) prescribes fasting until the end of Vespers (worship).
However vespers service on Christmas Eve is connected with the liturgy (public worship, which takes place in sacrament of Holy Communion) and one in the morning, so Orthodox Christians fast to the point where the center of the temple shall be made before the candle and candle Troparion sung Christmas. In the self same day Hogmanay post is not so strict as in the preceding days the strictest weeks of Advent.
If Eve coincides with a Saturday or Sunday, the clock Vigil of the Nativity transferred to Friday, and on this day Liturgy is not performed at all. This is due to the fact that Saturdays and Sundays in the church stand out among the others, and they are by nature not fasting and festive.
On Christmas Eve, in the old days was necessary to prepare or sochivo kolivo that within a few hours of cooked wheat or barley, adding honey and nuts.
Grain symbolized resurrected life, and honey – sweet future blessed life.
Also on the table put stewed fruit of apples, pears, plums, raisins, cherries and other fruits, cooked in water. The table on which was placed a meal, carpeted hay or straw, reminiscent of those nurseries in which Jesus Christ was laid.
Our ancestors tried to mark Christmas Eve works of Christian charity.
Materials: Korrespondent
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