© 2024 88.9 KETR
Public Radio for Northeast Texas
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
KETR News Director Mark Haslett’s multimedia blog about Northeast Texas and the world.

Orthodox Christian Texans prepare for Christmas

provided photo
Fr. Seraphim Holland of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in McKinney.

Orthodox Christians in Texas and around the world celebrate the Feast of the Nativity - Christmas Day - on Jan. 7.

That's because Dec. 25 in the old Julian calendar falls on Jan. 7 using the newer Gregorian calendar - the one that's in common use today.

Orthodoxy, of course, isn't the most common form of Christianity in Northeast Texas. There is one Orthodox parish in the KETR listening area - St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKinney.

There are several Orthodox parishes throughout North Texas, including ones in Allen, Dallas, Denison and Mesquite. In East Texas, there are Orthodox parishes in Bullard, Jacksonville and Tyler.

Fr. Seraphim Holland spoke with KETR about the Orthodox tradition - and also explained how the historical St. Nicholas differs from the "St. Nick" of the Santa Claus stories.

st_nicholas_for_web.mp3
Fr. seraphim Holland of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in McKinney describes the traditions around the historical St. Nicholas. (KETR)

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.