Pope Leo congratulates the Orthodox on Christmas by Julian calendar

Pope Leo. Photo: Vatican News

On January 6, 2026, Pope Leo XIV delivered a Christmas greeting to the Orthodox Christians who celebrate the holiday according to the Julian calendar.

"My thoughts are with the church communities of the East, who will celebrate the Nativity of Christ tomorrow according to the Julian calendar. Dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord Jesus grant you and your families peace and tranquility!" said the Pontiff after the Angelus prayer.

It should be noted that the Nativity of Christ according to the Julian calendar is celebrated by the Jerusalem, Serbian, Russian, Ukrainian, Macedonian, Polish, Georgian Churches, as well as on Mount Athos.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Zelensky declared January 7 as Programmer's Day.

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