Christmas thrice a year

Religious diversity adds to the cultural richness of Europe. Few perhaps ponder that Christmas is celebrated three times in Europe. The Roman Catholics and most other 'West' European Christians celebrate it on December 25, the Orthodox Church on...

Religious diversity adds to the cultural richness of Europe. Few perhaps ponder that Christmas is celebrated three times in Europe.

The Roman Catholics and most other 'West' European Christians celebrate it on December 25, the Orthodox Church on January 6 and the Armenian community on January 19.

The early Christians used to celebrate it on January 6 but in the west, in Rome, the date was transferred to December 25 to fall on a pagan festival to Saturn so that the Christian feast would eclipse the pagan one.

Judging by the way in which Christmas has become so materialistic and commercialised it appears that Saturn has taken over the Christian feast and not vice-versa. The feast of the Epiphany falls on the original day of Christmas.

The European Movement (Malta) wishes all readers a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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