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Christians in Slovakia Celebrate Christmas Eve
Thursday 24 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - With the arrival of Christmas Eve around two billion Christians around the world, Slovakia including, have begun the Christmas celebrations on Thursday.
Several Christian families in Slovakia keep strict fasting on Christmas Eve as a symbol of humility and honour to the newly-born Little Jesus. The ceremonial evening meal, which includes most prominently fish and wafers with honey, symbolises unity of the family, which should meet at the common table throughout the next year.
Roman Catholics celebrate Christmas vigil masses in the afternoon and in the evening of Christmas Eve. An inseparable part of the Christmas Eve in Roman Catholic churches is the midnight mass with believers singing carols, among them also the famous 'Silent Night, Holy Night' composed by Austrian organist Franz Xaver Gruber in 1818.
The colour of Christmas in churches and households is being made by nativity scenes and decorated Christmas trees.
Slovakia's Greek Catholics celebrate the Great Compline and the ancient Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in the evening of the Christmas Eve.
Lutherans and other protestant denominations held their Christmas services in the afternoon and in the evening. Orthodox Christians celebrate the Christmas Eve according to the Julian calendar on January 6, the day when Catholics celebrate the Lord's Epiphany (Theophany) or the Three Kings holiday.
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