Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas

Dan Speicher
Monday, Jan. 7, 2019 2:05 p.m. | Monday, Jan. 7, 2019 2:05 p.m.

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Father Rumen Stoychev celebrates the Orthodox Christmas Divine Liturgy at Holy Ascension of Our Lord Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019.

Father Rumen Stoychev celebrates the Orthodox Christmas Divine Liturgy at Holy Ascension of Our Lord Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019.

Father Rumen Stoychev celebrates the Orthodox Christmas Divine Liturgy at Holy Ascension of Our Lord Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019.

Father Rumen Stoychev celebrates the Orthodox Christmas Divine Liturgy at Holy Ascension of Our Lord Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019.

Angie Babich, 87, of Yukon, kisses the chalice after receiving communion, while celebrating the Orthodox Christmas Divine Liturgy at Holy Ascension of Our Lord Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019.

Mary Nagoda (left), 92, of Export, celebrates the Orthodox Christmas Divine Liturgy at Holy Ascension of Our Lord Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019.

Approximately 50 congregants gather with Father Rumen Stoychev, to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas Divine Liturgy at Holy Ascension of Our Lord Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019.

Straw is used to remember the stable where Jesus was born, during the Eastern Orthodox Christmas celebration at Holy Ascension of Our Lord Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019.

Holy Ascension of Our Lord Serbian Orthodox Church, which has stood in Youngwood for more than a century, celebrated Christmas on Monday — as Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar marked Christmas on Jan. 7.

There is a 13-day difference between the Julian calendar, which was introduced under the Roman emperor Julius Caesar in 45 BC, and the Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582.

Some Orthodox countries and congregations use a Julian calendar revised in 1923 which celebrates Christmas on Dec. 25.

Dan Speicher is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Dan at 724-850-5455, dspeicher@tribweb.com or via Twitter @danspeicher.