Some of the members here may wonder a little why the Russian Orthodox church celebrate Christmas the 7th. of January. You may also have noticed that the October Revolution in fact are marked the 7th. of November.
Here is the explanation. Before 1709 Russia had a calender that started at the creation of the world that, as you know :-), took place on the 1.st of September in 5509 before Christ. In 1709 Russia adopted the Julian Calender that was made by Julius Caesar. This calender started when Rome was founded. The Julian calender has 365.25 days while the solar-year has 365.2422 days. According to this the Julian year was 11 minutes and 14 seconds too long.
In 1918 Russia accepted the Gregorian calender that was a revised version of the Julian calender. The Gregorian calender has 365,24250 days per year.
In 1923 Russia introduced their own revolusionary calender with 5 days a week. (Btw a smashing good idea. Think about it three working days, and then week-end!! Sigh!!). Russia kept this calender till 1931. From 1931 to 1940 the Russian calender had six days per week. However in 1940 they reintroduced the Gregorian calender with 7 days week. The day of the October Revolution was changed till the 7. of November. The Russian Orthodox church, however, still uses the Julian Calender, and therefore they are 13 days behind us.
Still confused? Be happy I don't tell you about what happend in England.
Haroshij
