Christians in Slovakia Celebrate Christmas Eve

Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - With the arrival of Christmas Eve more than two billion Christians around the world, Slovakia including, begin the Christmas celebrations on Tuesday. Several Christian families in Slovakia keep a strict fast on Christmas Eve throughout the day until the dinner as a symbol of humility and honour to the newly-born Child Jesus. The ceremonial evening meal, which includes most prominently fish and wafers with honey, symbolises unity of the family, which should meet at the common table throughout the next year. Roman Catholics celebrate Christmas vigil masses in the afternoon and in the evening of Christmas Eve. An inseparable part of the Christmas Eve in Roman Catholic churches is the midnight mass with the faithful singing carols, among them also the famous 'Silent Night, Holy Night' composed by Austrian organist Franz Xaver Gruber in 1818. The colour of Christmas in churches and households is being made by nativity scenes and decorated Christmas trees. Slovakia's Greek Catholics celebrate Vespers and the ancient Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great late in the afternoon and the Great Compline later in the evening. Lutherans and other Protestant denominations hold their Christmas services in the afternoon and in the evening. Orthodox Christians observing the Julian calendar celebrate the Christmas Eve on January 6, the day when Catholics celebrate the Lord's Epiphany (Theophany), coloquially called the Three Kings holiday. ko