SPECIAL REPORT: CHRISTMAS II
- Share via
Merry Christmas
Today is Christmas for tens of thousands of Armenian Christians and members of some other Eastern churches, even if their children also enjoy gifts on Dec. 25. They follow an ancient tradition that Jesus was born and baptized Jan. 6. Catholic, Protestant and most Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate Jesus’ birth Dec. 25 and his baptism on Jan. 6, a day they call Epiphany.
Breaking Fast
Due to calendar differences, Egyptian-heritage Christians will observe Christmas on Tuesday. At St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in Arleta. Father Bishoy Bastawros will lead Christmas Eve services tonight and a Christmas service for 300 Tuesday morning. “They return home and eat a big dinner, because for 43 days they have been eating no animal or dairy foods,” he said.
Epiphany
A similar “blessing of the water” will take place today in several Eastern Orthodox churches in the Valley as well as at St. Anne Melkite-Greek Catholic Church in Van Nuys, an Eastern Rite parish under the Vatican where Father John Azar will pass out bottles of holy water. Most Episcopal and Catholic parishes observed the Epiphany on Sunday.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
