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Eastern European expats in UAE to celebrate Christmas on January 7

Dubai - Julian calendar pre-dates the Gregorian calendar currently used by most Christians.

Do you think Christmas and New Year celebrations are over? Well, not yet - at least not for Russian-speaking expats and Coptic Christians around the world, whose homes will be adorned with Christmas trees and other bright decorations for one more week.
It is Christmas Eve tonight for the expat community from Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Kazakhstan, other former Soviet Union states, and Egypt's Coptic Christians; while New Year's Eve (NYE) will be on January 13.
"It is because we celebrate Christmas and New Year in accordance with the Julian calendar," Ukrainian expat Ksenia Sukhar, 32, told Khaleej Times.
Julian calendar pre-dates the Gregorian calendar currently used by most Christians.
The change happened in 1582 when Pope Gregory XIII issued a papal bill to get the calendar in sync with astronomical events like summer and winter solstice.
At that time, 10 days were dropped when the switch to the Gregorian Calendar happened. However, some countries switched much later and more days had to be omitted.
In Russia, when the Bolsheviks decided to switch to the Gregorian from the Julian calendar in 1918, 13 days were wiped off from February that year. The Orthodox Church, however, still followed the Julian calendar to celebrate Christmas and New Year, which fall on January 7 and 14 respectively in the Gregorian calendar.
"Actually, in Ukraine, we have two Christmas days - December 25 and January 7. However, in Russia it's only January 7. But traditions remain the same - whether you celebrate it on December 25 or January 7; and whether you're back home or in Dubai," said Ksenia, who has been celebrating Russian Christmas in Dubai for four years.
"To celebrate Christmas, there is every meat course imaginable, pies, cakes, sweets and puddings. We enjoy a festive family lunch and kids come to visit different homes and sing Christmas carols. For each song, they receive treats like candies or money," she adds.
Olga Gafurova, Russian editor and business development manager, said: "There is roasted turkey on the table and my family sit together for the feast."
Olga, a Dubai resident for 11 years, is originally from Omsk in the vast Russian region of Siberia. She said her family prefers celebrating Christmas in Dubai, "where there are many places to go to". "Unlike in Russia, where it is bitingly cold, my kids (Arthur, 9; Ariana, 6) really love the winter in Dubai because we can enjoy going out on Christmas and New Year."
Going to the Russian Orthodox Church at the Saint Philip Apostle Orthodox Complex in Sharjah is also part of the celebration for the Russian expats, according to Igor Popovich.
"Christmas Eve is also the time when we end our 40-day fasting. We start the feast after we see the first star appearing in the sky. Then we share 'kutia', a porridge made from wheat or rice served with honey and berries before having a Christmas Eve dinner consisting of 12 dishes - one each to honour the 12 Apostles of Jesus," Igor added.
"For me, my favourites are traditional vinaigrette salad, Russian dumplings with potatoes and cabbage soup. For dessert, I love fruit pies, gingerbread and honeybread cookies."
Like the Russian Orthodox, Egyptian Coptic Christians also end their fasting on Christmas Eve.
Nada Bashir said: "A day before Coptic Christmas, we observe a short fast and end it with a feast with family and friends. In our family, celebration is not complete without nuts and fresh and dried fruits, honey and bread, mushroom soup, and the slow-cooked kidney beans.
"Then we exchange gifts and greetings."

Why some celebrate Christmas on January 7