Christos razdajetsja!

“Christ is born.”

Today is Christmas for those of the Orthodox faith.

Throughout the area, Carpatho-Russian Orthodox and Ukrainians are prepared for the celebration of the birth of Jesus as marked by the Julian calendar.

The Julian calendar is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, which most of the world follows today. Dec. 25 on the Julian calendar falls on Jan. 7 on the Gregorian calendar.

Those who are celebrating at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Nesquehoning, the church is decorated with the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary and baby Jesus and a crucifix, poinsettia plants, Christmas trees, and icons depicting the birth of Christ.