Merry Christmas And Happy Holiday!

Merry Christmas to all of the members of this Forum who celebrate Christmas! I hope that everyone enjoyed the holiday...

Sorry that I have been inactive on the Forum for so long, but am recovering from pneumonia just now, and having a hard time kicking it. Being the postive person I am, hope to enjoy feeling like myself very soon.

Special thanks to Westside for the terrific support he has given me on this Forum. It was awesome to check in from time to time to see all the help that users in need were given by not only Westside, by other members. Thanks to you all!

Again Happy Holidays!

Ramona

 

Dear Ramona

I'm sorry to hear about your illness and want you to know firstly that you have most definitely been missed by all of us and secondly that my wife and I will remember you in our poor prayers for your complete and speedy recovery.

A Merry Christmas to you and yours, Ramona. You know I'm Eastern Orthodox. We say at this time, "Christ is born! Glorify Him!" So with that I'll get going. My dear wife has a treat waiting for me! (and ice wine is soooooo good!)

James

 

First of all, I am happy to see Ramona back. I enjoyed doing the work, and, if I did not, the user could tell.

And, to James: Roman Catholics and most Protestants observe Christmas on Dec. 25, based on the Gregorian calendar. Most Eastern Orthodox churches observe the event 13 days later based on the Julian calendar.

Are celebrating twice? That sounds good to me.

 

Hi Westside

In 1927 the Ecumenical Patriarch in cooperation with eight other Patriarchs, changed our Julian Calendar to a sort of hybrid Julian/Gregorian calendar. We happen to be Russian Orthodox (OCA here in America). The mother church (the Moscow Patriarchate) continue to use the Julian calendar and thus celebrate Christmas 13 days later on January 6th. Several Orthodox churches worldwide follow this older tradition. Here in America the Greek Church, Antiochian Church, Orthodox Church of America (ours) and several others follow the Ecumenical Patriarch's change and celebrate Christmas on the 25th. I call it a hybrid calendar since at the beginning of Great Lent we revert to the Julian Calendar and remain in the older calendar until Pentecost when we jump back into the Gregorian (or modern) calendar. Are you confused yet? heh heh

Anyway... in answer to your question... no... we don't celebrate two Christmases. January 6th for us is Holy Theophany (Epiphany here)... the blessing of the waters... and NOT Christmas.

Have a great new year, everyone.

 

Thanks, James. Very good explanation. I was just kidding about the two celebrations, but I know that in Italy, at least where I came from, Christmas was pretty much a religious holiday, and the Epiphany (presumably, the day that the Magi made it Bethlehrem) was for giving not exchanging gifts, and mostly for kids.
And, Happy New Year to all.

 

I think my "papa" was fairly aggravated at how Christmas had become so commercialized. He probably would have loved to switch things backward. (may his memory be eternal).

Have a great New Year, Westside (and all).

 

Sorry to hear you've been sick Ramona...

I hope everyone had a great holiday season... mine was quiet, except that I went "puter shopping" over Christmas... the old PC is getting on in age... so decided to find a replacement...

Now don't hit me, please! I decided on another Mac... a G4 desktop... this is my new puter although I haven't received it yet, should be soon now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51034&item=5739949346&rd=1

 

Sorry you were poorly over Christmas, Ramona. I hope you will be well enough to celbrate 12th Night - the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6 (for those following the calendar of the Western Church)

I look forward to more of your wisdom, Ramona.

(And do remember the story only says there were three presents: it does not number the Wise Men, nor does it call them kings.)