Senate Resolution No. 155

BY: Senator PARKER

CELEBRATING Orthodox Christmas on January 7, 2023

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate Orthodox
Christmas on January 7, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Orthodox Christians in the United States celebrate
Christmas a little bit later than everyone else, on January 7th; this
date falls on December 25th in the Julian Calendar, which existed before
the Gregorian Calendar; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Orthodox Christmas celebrates the birth of
Jesus Christ, the son of God; this holiday differs from Christmas Day
because it does not observe Pagan traditions, such as waiting for gifts
from Santa Claus and decorating a tree, and instead focuses on religious
customs; and

WHEREAS, While Orthodox Christmas is more widely celebrated in
Eastern European countries, Russian, Ukrainian, and Serbian communities
in the United States who observed Orthodox Christianism also wait until
January 7th to celebrate their Christmas; and

WHEREAS, Christmas falls on a different day in the Orthodox Church
because they still observe the traditional Julian calendar, which has
the original dates for Christian celebrations before the Gregorian
calendar was introduced; this means that, technically, Orthodox churches
still observe Christmas on December 25th; and

WHEREAS, Orthodox Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ,
even though his actual birthdate is unknown; because Orthodox Christmas
is celebrated using the old Julian calendar, it is also known as Old
Christmas Day; and

WHEREAS, Orthodox Christmas focuses on religious rituals and
traditions; it is a time to find peace and unity and heal the soul; as
such, they do not observe commercialized tradition such as the exchange
of presents or decorating the tree; in addition, many people observe a
fast before Orthodox Christmas day and give up things such as meat and
dairy; and

WHEREAS, A holiday centered around peace and serenity, Orthodox
Christians decorate their table with a white table cloth which
symbolizes the cloth Jesus was wrapped in when he was born; some also
put candles and straw decorations up to represent the nativity scene;
and

WHEREAS, The Orthodox Christmas meal is known as the Holy Supper,
and some traditional foods eaten on the day are mushroom soup, porridge,
Lenten bread, nuts and dried fruits, cod, biscuits, and honey; and

WHEREAS, Orthodox Churches in the United States hold a special
liturgy, where they light a fire with palms and burn frankincense in
honor of the three wise men's gifts to Jesus; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper to give thanks to God by observing
Orthodox Christmas in New York State on January 7, 2023, when all may
acknowledge our blessings and express gratitude for them, while
recognizing the need for strengthening religious and moral values in our
State and nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7, 2023.