TEHRAN (MNA) – Iranian Christians, including Armenians and Assyrians, are making preparations for Christmas and New Year.
According to an ancient tradition, Christians around the world consider the beginning of the year to be January 1 in winter, just as we Iranians consider the beginning of the year to be the first day of Farvardin (March 21) in spring, and the Arabs consider the beginning of the year to be Muharram. It was in the 17th century that the 25th of December was proclaimed as Christmas or the birth of Jesus Christ, and almost all followers of Christianity celebrate this day as the birthday of Christ.
On this day, many Christians decorate their homes and workplaces with candles, garlands, wreaths, stockings and door swags. They put special care and effort into decorating their Christmas tree with ornaments, and placing gifts beneath it to be unwrapped on Christmas morning. In general, the Christmas and New Year holidays last for 12 days, with some countries celebrating only five days and others devoting all 12 days to the holidays. Some would use this time to go on a much-needed vacation while others would stay at home and throw parties to entertain their guests; the same as Iranians do during Nowruz that takes up to 13 days.
Much like other Christians around the world, Iranian Armenians begin preparations for the New Year on the last days of December. Christians in Iran, where more than 97% of the population is Muslim, are considered religious minorities. They are divided into Armenians and Assyrians, with different ways to celebrate Christmas rites.
The Assyrians people who lived in ancient Iran , converted to Christianity since its onset, particularly in the first to third centuries AD. Like most Christians around the world, Assyrians in Iran celebrate December 25 as the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ.