ISTANBUL
Istanbul during Christmas resembles any Western city in the midst of holiday cheer.
While Christmas is a workday like any other in a country where 99 percent of the population is Muslim, Istanbulites have incorporated the holiday’s symbols, the Christmas tree for instance, in their New Year celebrations.
As the winter festival lights in Istanbul's Taksim Square glitter in the winter nights, many Turks enjoy buying gifts and presents for one another, but for the city's small Christian community, Dec. 25 has a deeper meaning.
Friar Anton Bulai from the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, known as the St. Esprit Cathedral in Istanbul, told The Anadolu Agency that preparations had started four weeks ago, namely to decorate the church.
“Every decoration has a specific meaning, by which we want to give the message that Jesus is due to come. We have green trees symbolizing life and vitality,” he said.
Anton said they were getting ready for a big service for Christmas Eve, Wednesday night.
Western Christians, who use the Gregorian calendar, celebrate the birth of Christ on Dec. 25.
Eastern orthodox churches, including Armenian and Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, celebrate Christmas on January 7 as they follow the Julian calendar, which runs 13 days behind the Gregorian one.
Consul General of France Muriel Domenach will attend the church service in the compound of the historic French Palace in the Beyoglu district.
She said she was happy to spend Christmas in Turkey as she considers it her second home.
It is not bittersweet to be away from home, she said, pointing out that friends were visiting, thus adding to her excitement to discover the city during the Christmas holiday.
A French-Turkish restaurant owner, Alex Varlik, said he had prepared a special homemade French menu for Christmas Eve. There are many reservations for Thursday night, he boasted.
While celebrating Christmas is an exception in Turkey, such traditions as roasting turkeys, decorating trees and giving presents, have been adopted by many as festive New Year’s practices.
The Greek community in Istanbul will have a celebration rally on the famous Istiklal Street in Beyoglu where gifts will be handed out.
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