Orthodox Christians in central and eastern Europe and other parts of the world celebrate Christmas on January 7. The day is a time of reflection, inner thoughts and healing in many eastern European countries. Many Orthodox Christians fast before January 7, usually excluding meat and dairy products.

Christmas Day, on the other hand, is a day for feasting and enjoying the company of friends and family members. The Christmas meal usually includes meat and different types of pastries. One traditional Russian Christmas dish is baked goose with apples.

In some Orthodox Christian cultures, people walk in procession to seas, rivers and lakes as part of the liturgy on the Orthodox Christmas Day. They make holes in the ice to bless the water if it is frozen. Little importance is given to gift exchanges and the commercialized Christmas.

Christmas Day is a public holiday on January 7 in countries such as Belarus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Russia, and Ukraine.

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