Iran Press/ Iran news: On December 25th, billions of Christians worldwide commemorate the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ, days ahead of the New Year on January 1st, which marks the start of the Georgian calendar.
Iranian Christians, like every other part of the world, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ (PBUH) in the country. Jesus Christ was born on December 25th, 622 BC, in Bethlehem, Palestine.
In the 17th century, December 25th was proclaimed as Christmas or the birth of Jesus Christ, and almost all followers of Christianity celebrate this day as the birthday of Christ.
On this day, many Christians decorate their homes and workplaces with candles, garlands, wreaths, stockings and door swags. They put particular care and effort into decorating their Christmas tree with ornaments and placing gifts beneath it to be unwrapped on Christmas morning. In general, the Christmas and New Year holidays last for 12 days, with some countries celebrating only five days and others devoting all 12 days to the holidays.
Much like other Christians around the world, Iranian Armenians begin preparations for the New Year on the last days of December. Christians in Iran, where more than 97% of the population is Muslim, are considered religious minorities. They are divided into Armenians and Assyrians, with different ways to celebrate the festive event.
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Birth anniversary of Jesus Christ
Assyrians' Christmas
The Assyrians were a people who lived in ancient Iran and converted to Christianity since its onset, particularly in the first to third centuries AD. Like most Christians around the world, Assyrians in Iran celebrate December 25th as the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ and fast for 25 days before the birth of Christ, during which time they abstain from eating meat and dairy products. After December 25th, they break their fast and hold Communion at church.
On Christmas day, Assyrian people go to church to visit Assyrian clergies and wish them a happy Christmas, and the next day, it is the clergies who go to visit their fellow believers.
Unlike all other Christians who consider January 1st as the beginning of the new year, the Assyrian New Year falls in the month of Nisan and coincides with the Iranian 13th of Farvardin (the end of New Year holidays).
Armenians' Christmas
The Armenians hold Christmas celebrations a little later than that in other countries; that is, while most Christians around the world (including Catholics, Protestants and the majority of Orthodox Christians) consider December 25th as the birth of Jesus Christ, followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrate January 5th as Christmas Eve, and call it Water Blessing Day. Despite this difference, the Christian New Year begins on the first night of January and is accompanied by its own special ceremonies. Their New Year holidays end on January 13th.
In Iran, many young Christians start celebrating the festive occasion starting from December 25th. Christmas trees decorated with red and green ribbons and gold boxes underneath are put on display behind store windows or hotel lobbies in different parts of Tehran, particularly in Christian-populated districts.
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