Orthodox Christmas Day is a public holiday celebrated annually in many countries, including Kazakhstan. This festive occasion generally falls on January 7, following the Julian calendar. The day marks the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Eastern Orthodox Church and is observed with significant fanfare and religious reverence across the country. Like in other Orthodox nations, the practice varies from the Western tradition where Christmas is celebrated on December 25, as per the Gregorian calendar.
The holiday is marked by various customs and traditions. Many Kazakh Orthodox Christians begin their celebration of Christmas Day with a special church service, where they join the community in prayer and hymn singing. The observances also include traditional feasts with families and loved ones. Certain foods are commonly associated with this holiday, including 'kutia' - a type of sweet grain pudding, and 'uzvar' - a dried fruit compote. Much of the day is dedicated to sharing meals, exchanging presents, and spending quality time with family.
Despite being majorly a Muslim country, Kazakhstan showcases great religious tolerance and cultural diversity, with Orthodox Christianity being the second most practiced religion in the country. Orthodox Christmas Day, therefore, is not just a religious event, but a celebration of unity and brotherhood amongst Kazakhs. During this holiday, streets and homes are often adorned with Christmas lights, decorations, and Nativity scenes. Thus, Orthodox Christmas Day in Kazakhstan is a holiday that fosters cohesiveness as well as cultural and religious acceptance.