On 6–7 January 2026, at the Cathedral of Saint Mary Magdalene in Warsaw, Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland presided over the great feast of the Nativity of Christ, God and Savior.
The celebrations began with the All-Night Vigil on the eve of the feast. At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Sawa addressed the assembled faithful with a paternal homily. The Primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Poland spoke at length about the ontological significance of the Feast of Christ’s Nativity, reminding the faithful that the mystery of the Savior’s birth far transcends a mere historical event and touches the very essence of human existence and of all creation.
It was emphasized that God not only became man, but through the Incarnation renews creation, which the sin of Adam had defiled. Since the fall of the first-created humans in Paradise, humanity has experienced alienation from God, while the numerous divisions, crises, and wars afflicting the contemporary world are consequences of this estrangement. Referring to the history of the divine economy, Metropolitan Sawa noted that in Christ, not only is reconciliation between humanity and God accomplished, but also the hope is born of overcoming sin, which divides and wounds human hearts.
The Metropolitan also underscored that the Birth of Jesus in the cave of Bethlehem leads to Christ’s sacrifice on Golgotha and to His glorious Resurrection. Every human life is called, in the light of this mystery, to seek unity with God and with one’s fellow human beings through love and forgiveness.
In concluding his address, Metropolitan Sawa wished the faithful that the true joy which flows from the Nativity of Christ might lead them to a deeper spiritual life and to peace in their hearts, in their families, and in their homelands.
The festive eve concluded with the communal chanting of the carol “Heaven and Earth.”
As in the preceding sacred services, so too during the central Divine Liturgy, the cathedral was filled with a great multitude of faithful, while a significant number of parishioners approached to receive the Holy Eucharist.
During the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated by Metropolitan Sawa, the Christmas Message of the Synod of Bishops of our Church was read, as well as a festive greeting from the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Karol Nawrocki, which he sent together with his wife.
After the conclusion of the central Divine Liturgy, the children once again received small festive gifts. The celebrations at the Cathedral of Saint Mary Magdalene concluded with the doxology of the feast and a common Christmas hymn, sung with the participation of the faithful.
Following the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, the faithful remained in the church for a considerable time, awaiting the paternal blessing of the Archbishop, exchanging greetings and sharing in the joy of the feast of Christ’s Nativity, in an atmosphere of common prayer under the omophorion of the Primate of the Orthodox Church in Poland.
According to long-standing tradition, a solemn procession took place, during which the clergy, together with the cathedral choir, chanting the festal troparion, accompanied the Metropolitan to the metropolitan residence. There, on behalf of those gathered, they conveyed warm festive greetings to the Hierarch.
Photos: Archdeacon Igor Kutovyi
