SW News: "I express my warmest best wishes to the communities of the Eastern Churches, both Catholic, and Orthodox, who celebrate the Nativity of the Lord tomorrow," said Pope Francis after reciting the midday Angelus on January 6, the feast of Epiphany.
The Pope stated, continuing his words of compassion, "Please share them with the Ukrainian people's loved ones. We hope and pray that the birth of our Savior will give us comfort and hope, as well as the resolve to do what needs to be done to put an end to the fighting and bring about peace. Let's strongly ask God to grant Ukraine peace."
However, Pope Francis noted that the Epiphany was also the World Day of Missionary Childhood, which the Church observes as a reminder that children may and should be viewed as gospel witnesses and evangelists in their own right.
The Pope concluded by extending his greetings to all young people around the world who share the "joy of becoming friends of Jesus and devoting themselves via prayer, sacrifices, and offerings to aiding the missionaries of the Gospel."
Months after beginning a military operation in Ukraine, Russia extended a 36-hour ceasefire in the region to honor Orthodox Christmas. Beginning on January 6, the ceasefire continued until midnight on January 7. The administration took this action because so many of the Orthodox Christians living in Russia's crisis zones.
Only 12% of Christians worldwide start their festivities on January 7th. Orthodox Christmas is observed by some 260 million people worldwide, including those in Ethiopia, Egypt, and the majority-Orthodox nations of Eastern Europe like Russia and Greece. It has its origins in the centuries-old decision of Orthodox churches to split from the Catholic church and adhere to a calendar that is different from the one used by the majority of the world today. This day is marked with somber vigils and traditional feasts.