The Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas or the birth of Christ on January 7 according to the old calendar. This day, the people commemorate the birth of the Savior by Virgin Mary and the bringing of presents by the Magi, priest Andrei Brasoveanu, of Saint Teodora de la Sihla Church, has told Info-Prim Neo. “We celebrate this day by services, congratulations and praise songs. A special service will be held this evening to bless the five pieces of bread, wine and oil. It is a special religious ceremony officiated before Christmas,” said the priest. The main tradition among the Christians is the carols that inform about the birth of Jesus Christ, on the eve and the morning of Christmas. Some groups of carolers come to the service in the morning. Afterward, they go again to carol and to praise Jesus. All kinds of food are allowed on Christmas. The women prepare mincemeat rolls of cabbage, pound cakes and knot-shaped bread, especially for this day. Until Epiphany, they fast on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while the last day before the feast they eat nothing. A part of the Christians in Moldova celebrated Christmas on December 25, according to the Gregorian calendar. Others follow the Julian calendar and observe it on January 7.