Quillette Podcast Christmas in Byzantium
Dec 24, 2025
Historian Robin Pierson, host of the History of Byzantium podcast, dives into the rich tapestry of Christmas traditions in Byzantine culture. He explores the transition from pagan festivals to Christian observances during Justinian's reign. Robin shares insights on church attendance, the joyful yet solemn nature of celebrations, and the popular kalanda caroling. He discusses the East–West differences in Christian practices, the origins of iconoclasm, and the impact of Byzantine iconography on faith. The conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into how history shaped the holiday.
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Christmas As A Three-Part Sacred Season
- By Justinian's reign Christmas had become a fixed 25 December feast within a three-part nativity season.
- The nativity, circumcision, and Theophany formed a twelve-day sacred period with both solemn worship and communal merriment.
Solemn Liturgy Paired With Midwinter Merriment
- Byzantine Christmas combined solemn liturgy with popular midwinter feasting and time off work for many people.
- Robin Pierson says the season mixed serious church attendance with communal joy tied to preserved winter food.
Greek Chanting And Street Caroling
- Church services were mostly chanted in Greek and often lacked the sermon-heavy pattern familiar to the West.
- Robin Pierson notes communal caroling (kalanda) persisted with children singing in streets and playing simple instruments.