Nativity (Orthodox Christmas)
Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ — Friday, December 25, 2026 in 2026.
The Nativity celebrates the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. Churches on the Revised Julian (New) Calendar keep it on 25 December of the civil calendar; Churches that follow the Julian (Old) Calendar keep the same liturgical date, which currently falls on 7 January of the civil calendar.
When is Nativity (Orthodox Christmas) in 2026?
In 2026 the feast falls on Friday, December 25, 2026. It is a fixed feast and keeps the same date every year on the New Calendar; Old Calendar parishes keep it thirteen days later on the civil calendar.
| Year | Date | Fasting that day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, December 25, 2026 | No Fast |
| 2027 | Saturday, December 25, 2027 | No Fast |
| 2028 | Monday, December 25, 2028 | No Fast |
| 2029 | Tuesday, December 25, 2029 | No Fast |
Fasting on Nativity (Orthodox Christmas)
The feast concludes the forty-day Nativity Fast, which begins on 15 November. The twelve days from the Nativity to Theophany are fast-free.
Fasting practice varies between jurisdictions, parishes and households — see the Orthodox fasting rules for the full picture and speak with your priest about your own rule.
See this feast in the calendar
Open the day itself for the saints, feast and fasting rule in full, browse December 2026, or see the whole of 2026.