Christmas is celebrated by Orthodox Christians in the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe and throughout the world on the 7th of January in the Gregorian Calendar – 13 days after other Christians. The orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar.

Unlike the West, where Christmas ranks supreme, in the East it is Easter, centered on the cross and the resurrection of Christ, which is the supreme festival of the year. Also, Eastern Orthodox Christmas lacks the commercial side that is so typical to the West. (source: BBC)

Copts, who are Egypt’s traditional Christians, have their own Pope who is the head of the Coptic churches of Egypt and the Sudan. Copts consider St. Mark to be their first Pope. He introduced Christianity to Egypt, and for hundreds of years, Alexandria was the home of the Pope. Today his cathedral is in Cairo, where services are usually held in the ancient Coptic language.

Cairo, Egypt.

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