LAKEWOOD, CO - JANUARY 6: Milan Petrovic prays during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, January 6, 2020. The Serbian Orthodox church celebrates Christmas per the Julian calendar unlike many other christian faiths, which use the gregorian calendar. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA parishioner lights a candle during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostParishioners pray during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostBrankica Kojic kisses the crucifix during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostPrayer cards lean against a stack of books during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFather Radovan Petrovic performs a ceremony during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
- LAKEWOOD, CO - JANUARY 6: Altar server Alex Njegomir stands during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, January 6, 2020. The Serbian Orthodox church celebrates Christmas per the Julian calendar unlike many other christian faiths, which use the gregorian calendar. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostBojana Pantovic prays during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostParishioners perform a sign of the cross during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA donation during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFather Radovan Petrovic performs a ceremony during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFather Radovan Petrovic performs a ceremony during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
- LAKEWOOD, CO - JANUARY 6: The altar during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, January 6, 2020. The Serbian Orthodox church celebrates Christmas per the Julian calendar unlike many other christian faiths, which use the gregorian calendar. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFather Radovan Petrovic performs a ceremony during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
- LAKEWOOD, CO - JANUARY 6: Rade Jugovic prays during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, January 6, 2020. The Serbian Orthodox church celebrates Christmas per the Julian calendar unlike many other christian faiths, which use the gregorian calendar. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFilip Blagojevic and Vuk Stikic (right) watch as branches are ceremoniously burned during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
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LAKEWOOD, CO - JANUARY 6: Milan Petrovic prays during a Christmas celebration at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday, January 6, 2020. The Serbian Orthodox church celebrates Christmas per the Julian calendar unlike many other christian faiths, which use the gregorian calendar. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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By The Denver Post | newsroom@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church in Lakewood held their annual Christmas Eve service Monday, as Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas per the Julian calendar, in which Christmas Day lands on January 7. This differs from most modern Christian faiths, which use the Gregorian calendar, in which Christmas Day lands on December 25.