Under Christmas Star: Belarus celebrates great Christian holiday

Millions of Belarusians join Orthodox believers all over the world to celebrate Christmas. Orthodoxy is the country’s largest religious denomination. Solemn church services, prayers in gratitude for the birth of the Savior, meetings with family and friends, sincere greetings, assistance and charity… These are the features of one of the main holidays on the church calendar. By tradition, Orthodox Christians will be observing Christmas for another 12 days until Epiphany. During this time, which is called Svyatki or Kalyady in Belarus, people visit each other, give gifts and do good deeds.