Photos: Orthodox Christians celebrating Christmas, January 7, 2012

A boy lights a candle, during a Christmas service in the Christian Orthodox church, St. Atanasij the Great, in the southeastern Macedonia's town of Bogdanci, on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas day on January 7 because they follow the Julian Calendar, which was replaced in Western Europe by the Gregorian calendar 500 years ago. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

People sing Christmas carols, known locally as "Kolyadki", in the village of Zhazhelka, some 48 km (30 miles) east of Minsk, January 7, 2013. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

People celebrate the pagan rite called "Kolyadki" in the village of Zhazhelka, some 48 km (30 miles) east of Minsk, January 7, 2013. Kolyada is a pagan winter holiday, which over the centuries has merged with Orthodox Christmas celebrations in Ukraine and some parts of Belarus. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

Historical re-enactors dressed as 1812-era Russian imperial soldiers march during a reenactment of the French Invasion of Russia in 1812, during celebrations to mark the Russian Orthodox Christmas in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Christmas falls on Jan. 7 for Orthodox Christians who rely on the old Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics and Protestants and commonly used in secular life around the world. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

A woman gives a drink to a person as they attend Christmas celebration in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk. on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used in secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEVVIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

An elderly woman looks at the illuminated nativity scene, set in St. Atanasij the Great Christian Orthodox church, in the southeastern Macedonia's town of Bogdanci, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas day on January 7 because they follow the Julian Calendar, which was replaced in Western Europe by the Gregorian calendar 500 years ago. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

A member of historic club wearing 1812-era French army general's uniform rides during a reenactment of the French Invasion of Russia in 1812, during celebrations to mark the Russian Orthodox Christmas in St. Peterburg, Russia, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Christmas falls on Jan. 7 for Orthodox Christians who rely on the old Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics and Protestants and commonly used in secular life around the world. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Georgians with National flags take part in a religious procession to mark the Orthodox Christmas, in Tbilisi, Georgia, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Christmas falls on Jan. 7 for Orthodox Christians that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 16th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics and Protestants and commonly used in secular life around the world. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)

An Orthodox priest blesses servicemen of the Belarussian Interior Ministry's special unit during a service at a military base in Minsk January 7, 2013. Most Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar on January 7, two weeks after most western Christian churches that abide by the Gregorian calendar. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

Servicemen of the Belarussian Interior Ministry's special unit queue up to kiss an Orthodox Cross after a service at a military base in Minsk January 7, 2013. Most Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar on January 7, two weeks after most western Christian churches that abide by the Gregorian calendar. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

Participants march on the street during "Alilo", a religious procession, to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas in Tbilisi January 7, 2013. Believers celebrate Christmas on January 7, according to the Julian calendar used by the country's Orthodox church. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili

People celebrate the pagan rite called "Kolyadki" in the village of Zhazhelka, some 48 km (30 miles) east of Minsk, January 7, 2013. Kolyada is a pagan winter holiday, which over the centuries has merged with Orthodox Christmas celebrations in Ukraine and some parts of Belarus. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

Bosnian Orthodox Serbs, attend Christmas Mass in Orthodox Church in Tuzla, 70 kms north of Sarajevo, early morning, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas day on January 7 as they follow the Julian Calendar, which was replaced in Western Europe by the Gregorian calendar 500 years ago. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a Christmas service in a church in Sochi early on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used in secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO/ RIA-NOVOSTI/ MIKHAIL KLIMENTIEV/AFP/Getty Images

Macedonian Orthodox light some candles as they attend on January 7, 2013 a religious service to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas in Saint Clement Cathedral in Skopje. The Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas and other religious holidays according to the Julian calendar, while other Christian churches have adopted the later Gregorian calendar. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Macedonian Christian Orthodox Archbishop Stefan holds a holy Christmas liturgy in St. Clement's Cathedral in Skopje on January 7, 2013. The Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas and other religious holidays according to the Julian calendar, while other Christian churches have adopted the later Gregorian calendar. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Bosnian Orthodox Serb light candles to commemorate passed souls of their relatives, during Christmas Mass at "Congregational Church of The Mother of God" in Sarajevo, on January 7, 2013. Dominantly Orthodox Christians, Bosnian Serbs observe the old "Julian" calendar differing from Catholic and secular, "Gregorian" calendar, established in 16th century. AFP PHOTO ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP/Getty Images

Bosnian Orthodox Serbs attend Christmas Mass at the Congregational Church of" The Mother of God" in Sarajevo, on January 7, 2013. Dominantly Orthodox Christians, Bosnian Serbs observe the old "Julian" calendar differing from Catholic and secular, "Gregorian" calendar, established in 16th century. AFP PHOTO ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP/Getty Images

Costumed children singing carols walk in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv during celebration of the Orthodox Christmas on January 7, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP/Getty Images

Georgian believers march in a procession in Tbilisi on January 7, 2013 during the Christmas celebrations. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used in secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VANO SHLAMOV/AFP/Getty Images

A procession of Georgian believers arrives at the Tbilisi cathedral on January 7, 2013 during the Christmas celebrations. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used in secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VANO SHLAMOV/AFP/Getty Images

A child holds a Georgian flag during a procession in Tbilisi on January 7, 2013 during the Christmas celebrations. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used in secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VANO SHLAMOV/AFP/Getty Images

People sit on a horse-drawn cart as they attend Christmas celebrations in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk, on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used attendsin secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

People walk in a street covered with snow as they attend Christmas celebrations in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk, on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used attendsin secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

A man plays the accordion as people gathered during Christmas celebration in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk. on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used attendsin secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

A woman holds a plate of apples during Christmas celebration in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk. on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used attendsin secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

People attend Christmas celebrations in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk. on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used in secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

People stand on a street covered with snow as they attend Christmas celebrations in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk, on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used attendsin secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

People sit on a horse-drawn cart as they attend Christmas celebrations in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk, on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used attendsin secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

People attend Christmas celebration in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk. on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used attendsin secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

People attend Christmas celebrations in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk, on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used attendsin secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

A picture taken through mirrors shows a woman applying make-up on a man wearing a costume, during a Christmas celebration in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk, on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used attendsin secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

People sit on a horse-drawn cart as they attend Christmas celebrations in the town of Richev, some 290 km south from Minsk, on January 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used attendsin secular life around the world. AFP PHOTO / VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images

Historical re-enactors dressed as 1812-era French soldiers march during a reenactment of the French Invasion of Russia in 1812, during celebrations to mark the Russian Orthodox Christmas in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Christmas falls on Jan. 7 for Orthodox Christians who rely on the old Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics and Protestants and commonly used in secular life around the world. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Georgians take a part in a religious procession to mark the Orthodox Christmas in Tbilisi, Georgia, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Christmas falls on Jan. 7 for Orthodox Christians that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 16th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics and Protestants and commonly used in secular life around the world. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)

A Christian Serb Orthodox believer breaking traditional Christmas bread to mark the Orthodox Christmas Day festivities, in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Children traditionally scramble for a piece of the bread, searching for a gold coin, hidden inside. The Serbs celebrate Christmas according to Julian Calendar, on January 7. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Greek Archbishop Alexious, leads prayers during Christmas celebrations at a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Several Orthodox communities celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

Historical re-enactors dressed as 1812-era French horsemen ride during a reenactment of the French Invasion of Russia in 1812, during celebrations to mark the Russian Orthodox Christmas in St.Petersburg, Russia, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Christmas falls on Jan. 7 for Orthodox Christians who rely on the old Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics and Protestants and commonly used in secular life around the world. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

A boy eats piece of prosphora, or offering of bread, given to him by a priest during a Christmas service in the Christian Orthodox church, St. Atanasij the Great, in the southeastern Macedonia's town of Bogdanci, on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas day on January 7 because they follow the Julian Calendar, which was replaced in Western Europe by the Gregorian calendar 500 years ago. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

A Russian Orthodox believer lights candles during a Christmas mass in a church in Grozny, Russia, late Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. Christmas falls on Jan. 7 for Orthodox Christians in the Holy Land, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 16th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics and Protestants and commonly used in secular life around the world. (AP Photo/Musa Sadulayev)

A Bosnian Orthodox Serb woman, attends Christmas Mass, at the Orthodox Church in Tuzla, 70 kms north of Sarajevo, early morning, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas day on January 7 as they follow the Julian Calendar, which was replaced in Western Europe by the Gregorian calendar 500 years ago. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Georgians take a part in a religious procession to mark the Orthodox Christmas, in Tbilisi, Georgia, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Christmas falls on Jan. 7 for Orthodox Christians that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 16th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics and Protestants and commonly used in secular life around the world. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)

Historical re-enactors dressed as 1812-era Russian imperial soldiers push a car from a battle field during a reenactment of the French Invasion of Russia in 1812, during celebrations to mark the Russian Orthodox Christmas in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Christmas falls on Jan. 7 for Orthodox Christians who rely on the old Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics and Protestants and commonly used in secular life around the world. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)