Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas in Azerbaijan

On January 7 at night the Orthodox churches in Azerbaijan held celebrations on the occasion of Christmas.

In the central Temple of Myrrhbearers the festive liturgy was performed by Bishop Alexander of Baku and Caspian.

The ceremony was attended by the Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin and the head of the Russian community of Azerbaijan Mikhail Zabelin.

Among the participants of the ceremony were mostly Russian citizens who are orthodox in Azerbaijan, people from neighboring countries, as well as a small number of ethnic Azerbaijanis, who converted to Orthodoxy.

*History and meaning of the holiday

According to the Gospel legend, the Roman Emperor Augustus, who ruled Judea, announced census, and everyone had to come to the area, where he was born. Joseph and Mary went to their hometown of Bethlehem, but finding no room in the inn, they found shelter in a cave, where animals were herded. There Christ was born.

First shepherds came to worship him, and behind them came the Magi (Eastern sages of the pagans), who learned about the miracle by the appearance of an unusual star in the sky. -02D-