Christmas Eve service: what time it starts today, what prayers are read

The Nativity of Christ is one of the Lord's Bicentennial feasts. It was established in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem and is second only to Easter in its importance. Every year on Christmas Day in churches throughout Russia, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated on the night of January 7. When the Christmas service begins in 2025 and what prayers should be read on the holiday, tell "Izvestia".

Cathedral of Christ the Savior and churches of the Russian Orthodox Church: what time the Christmas service begins - 2025

Traditionally, the center of Christmas celebrations is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Divine services are headed personally by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The service begins at midnight. At the same time, the clock and the liturgy begin an hour earlier - at 23:00 Moscow time.

The Christmas patriarchal service will be broadcast live by federal TV channels, as well as websites of major publications.

Christmas services will be held in other churches of the capital, in particular - in the Church of the Ascension of Christ in Sokolniki and Novodevichy Convent. Last year, for example, there were about 550 temples in the capital. The service was attended by more than 1 million believers.

It is possible to attend Christmas services and offer prayers to the Lord in all other cities of Russia. The schedule of services is focused on the schedule in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. But it is better to specify it on the websites of temples.

How long the night service lasts from January 6 to 7

Usually the service lasts about four hours. During this time, the priest conducts the entire festive liturgy. Thus, it is completed in the early morning.

Before the service, priests recommend that you should definitely sleep and drink coffee. Since the day before Christmas is a day of strict fasting - Christmas Eve - those who decide to receive Holy Communion during the night service should not eat anything from the evening. As soon as the first star appears in the sky, you can eat sochivo - festive kutya with honey and fruit. One should sit down at the festive table and end the fast after the liturgy.

It is not necessary for laymen to attend the all-night vigil. The main thing is to come to church on January 7. For example, you can visit the church with the whole family in the morning. Services are also held in the afternoon and evening.

The first festive service takes place on the eve of Christmas - on Christmas Eve. The service of the day begins with the Royal Hours, at which the Gospels dedicated to the birth of the Savior are read. This is followed by Great Vespers with the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.

Christmas service: what prayers are read

During the service, the clergy sing solemn hymns and prayers. The main hymn of the feast is the troparion "Thy Nativity, O Christ our God...", which is a short prayer chant. It is sung several times during the service, and the choir is sung by all present.

Another important element of the Christmas service is the kondak, or multistrophic hymn, which reflects the essence of the celebration. At Christmas, the kondakion "Today the Virgin raises the Substantial..." is sung.

In addition, already during the Christmas fast and on the feast itself, the churches sing stanzas - poetic hymns linked to individual verses from a particular Psalm: "All angels in Heaven rejoice...", "Volsvi, Persian kings...", "Into the crib you entered..." and others. They comprehend the theme of the expected or already arrived church date.

During the All-Night Vigil a passage from the Gospel is read, after which the most famous Christmas poem "Glory to God in the Highest" is sung. The service also often includes the Akathist of Christmas, a song of praise and thanksgiving dedicated to the Savior.

Christmas is also an opportunity to address the Lord with your prayers and requests. On the holiday you can pray for the health of loved ones, family well-being, healing from illnesses, help in difficult situations, for strength and patience in overcoming difficulties.

Earlier "Izvestia" told how Western Christians celebrate Christmas.