In pictures: Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas
- Published
Orthodox Christians around the world are celebrating Christmas on 7 January.
Orthodox priest Marko Males leads a mass on the eve of Orthodox Christmas in the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III smiles as he arrives at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar.
Crowds of people watch his arrival.
Fireworks are seen above the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the Serbian capital Belgrade residents attended the ceremonial burning of dried oak branches in front of the Temple of Saint Sava.
Russian Patriarch Kirill led a Christmas service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in the capital Moscow.
Russia is home to the world's biggest Orthodox community.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lights a candle at the Church of the Saviour of the Miraculous Image in Novo-Ogaryovo, his state residence outside Moscow.
An Orthodox believer lights a candle during a Christmas liturgy at the Church of New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia.
Coptic Christians have been in Egypt for nearly 2,000 years. Here Egyptian Coptic Priests lead Christmas Mass at the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo.
Syrian Christian worshippers light candles at the Mar Sarkis Armenian Orthodox Church in Damascus.
A woman prays during in a Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral in Baku, Azerbaijan.