The Orthodox Church in Slovakia and around the world is entering the festive period of the Nativity of Christ, which, according to the so-called old calendar, will begin on Wednesday (January 7). The holiday itself is preceded by spiritual preparation - a 40-day fast. The Nativity Fast period will end on Tuesday (January 6) with the Great Vespers service, which will begin the celebrations of the holiday itself.
According to the members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in the Czech lands and Slovakia, headed by Metropolitan Rastislav, the incarnation of Christ is, above all, a great gift for fallen human nature. In this year's message for the feast of the Nativity of Christ, they emphasize that the world, which is stumbling in the darkness of selfishness, exploitation, wars, denial of the spiritual dimension of man and the blind alleys of technical progress, needs the light of Christ.
"Life without God turns into a life without love, joy and meaning, into a life in darkness and the shadow of death. Only the presence of God in our heart, thoughts and decisions can illuminate our life, our words and deeds," state the bishops.
The culmination of the spiritual joy of the event of the Nativity of Christ is the Holy Liturgy on the very day of the feast, January 7. On Thursday (January 8), Orthodox Christians will pay homage to the Mother of the Savior - the Virgin Mary, and on Friday (January 9), they will commemorate St. Archdeacon Stephen - the first martyr.
Source: TASR
