Orthodox Christmas 2013: Over 200 Million Celebrate Christ's Birth

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Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas on Monday following the Julian calendar, with the heads of churches delivering the broader message of the birth of Jesus Christ while also focusing on providing comfort to people facing challenges in their respective nations.

Fr. John Matusiak of the Orthodox Church in America says that while estimates in some media reports of Orthodox membership run as high as 300 million, in his view the number is closer to 200 million.

In Russia, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated Christmas liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, delivering a message on salvation and touching upon the importance of adoptions, an issue linked to a recent government ban of adoptions by Americans.

“This festival connects us with the most significant event in history, the birth of the Son of God and the Son of Man, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world in Bethlehem,” Patriarch Kirill said. “The word ‘Savior’ reveals the mystery of His birth and His mission to us. Every man dreams of salvation in many life circumstances but we do not always use this word. Most often we use it in matters of life and death. However, we frequently have to settle conflicts, master difficulties and cope with diseases, we want to make a contribution to the improvement of our family life or the life of the entire society. We do not use the word ‘salvation’ in this context but this word reveals all human desires best of all. Our Lord came to save us and the main meaning of His salvation is that He gives us strength to conquer evil and consequently inherit the Kingdom of God.”

He also touched on the adoption issue.