Orthodox Christians are preparing to celebrate Christmas

Orthodox Christians have a Christmas Eve - the eve of one of the main church holidays. Solemn divine services will begin in the temples. The service will be headed by Patriarch Kirill, will traditionally lead.In the meantime, the last preparations are finished there, in contrast to the eastern regions of the country, where the holiday is already in full swing.

Service headed by Patriarch Kirill

The Cathedral of Christ the Savior - service at Christmas Eve was held by Patriarch Cyril. The culmination of the service: a lighted candle is brought to the center of the cathedral, it symbolizes the Bethlehem star - the one that announced the birth of the baby and gave believers hope.

Thousands of believers in these minutes gather for solemn evening services.

The Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God is decorated with green firs and white flowers - symbols of eternal life and purity of thoughts. Khabarovsk. The Savior's Transfiguration Cathedral is filled with the radiance of thousands of candles.
With the advent of the first star in the sky, the believers end a forty-day fast. And in the south of Russia Christmas can not be imagined without a kutya - it is distributed at the festive service. The basis, as everywhere else, is wheat grains, seasoned with their own, special ingredients, for example, dried apricots.