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Orthodox Christians mark Christmas with prayers, Mass

Coptic Christians attend Orthodox Christmas Eve Mass in the Cave Cathedral or St. Sama'ans Church on the Mokattam hills overlooking Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. The Coptic Christian population are considered to be the largest Christian community in the Middle East and observe Christmas on January 7 according to the old, Julian calendar. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Ehsamy) Coptic Christians attend Orthodox Christmas Eve Mass in the Cave Cathedral or St. Sama'ans Church on the Mokattam hills overlooking Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. The Coptic Christian population are considered to be the largest Christian community in the Middle East and observe Christmas on January 7 according to the old, Julian calendar. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Ehsamy)

By Associated Press January 7, 2015 1 min read

Across the world, Orthodox Christians are celebrating Christmas with Mass and prayers.

In Russia, both Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and President Vladimir Putin attended Christmas morning Mass early Wednesday.

In Egypt, Coptic Christians celebrated on Tuesday night with Mass on Christmas Eve. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi attended one such Mass, escorted by Coptic Pope Tawadros II.

Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, in accordance with the Julian calendar.