Known in Greek as ‘Sínaxis Yperagías Theotókou Marías’ or the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos, this is a day dedicated to the Virgin Mary. 

Christmas is such a big event in terms of holidays that many countries extend their celebrations for two or even three days. In Roman Catholic countries, the second day of Christmas is Saint Stephen’s Day*, which honours the first Christian Martyr. 

In the United Kingdom and countries that were once part of the British Empire, the second day is known as Boxing Day, whose origins are debatable, but actually not that religious. 

In the Orthodox Church, the focus of the second day of Christmas is firmly on the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. 

In the Orthodox Church, a Synaxis is a meeting, a coming together to glorify and Theotokos (Greek for “God-Bearer”) is a title of Mary, mother of Jesus, used especially in Eastern Christianity. 

Mary is venerated as she gave birth to Jesus and thus is the one whom the Incarnation (Birth of Christ) was made possible and therefore the salvation of mankind. 

Reflecting her importance, especially to Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians, Mary has a number of feast days dedicated to her. It is thought that the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos is the oldest of her feast days and can be dated back to the 4th century and the early days of the Christian Church. 

*In the Orthodox tradition, Saint Stephen’s Day is observed on December 27th under the Gregorian calendar and January 9th under the Julian calendar. Greek uses both calendars in the dates of its religious holidays.