Orthodox Christmas observed

The Very Rev. Edward Pehanich begins the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil Friday morning at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Monongahela. The church hosted services as part of Christmas Day Mass. St. Nicholas is among many churches in Western Pennsylvania that retain the Julian calendar for observing church feast days. Orthodox Christians in Russia, Serbia and other countries began Christmas observances Thursday. The majority of Orthodox believers celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, with midnight services especially popular. The churches in Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Greece mark it on Dec. 25 along with other Christian denominations.