Orthodox residents of the capital celebrate Christmas

Christmas is one of the main Christian holidays, when the religious celebrate the birth of Christ from Virgin Mary. The Christmas Eve was yesterday, when all the Orthodox religious people had the fast and they started eating only after dark or appearance of the first star on the sky. It is a symbol of the portent seen by the wise men of the East who came to worship baby Christ and presented their gifts. Astana and Kazakhstan Metropolitan Alexander congratulated all the Kazakhstani people on Christmas. "I heartily congratulate all Orthodox people of Kazakhstan on Christmas and the New Year. May the generous mercy of God, patronage of the Holy Virgin Mary and Blessed Virgin, and prayers of New Martyrs and Confessors of Kazakhstan accompany us", - wished Astana and Kazakhstan Metropolitan Alexander. Recall that in accordance to the article 96 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, religious holidays Kurban Ait and Christmas are not official holidays but are the days off. Due to this Kazakhstani residents have a day off on January 7. Source: astana.gov.kz