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Millions of Orthodox Christians around the world - in eastern and southern Europe, the Middle East and diaspora populations in Australia - have marked Christmas in January.
Observers of the faith follow the ancient Julian calendar, which lists the holy day of Nativity of Christ, the birth of Jesus, on January 7.
That is 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar, which is used by Catholic and Protestant churches.
In Moscow's Christ the Saviour cathedral, people have prayed in front of Russia's most famous religious painting - the 15th century Trinity icon, by Andrei Rublyov.
The art work was brought out from a restoration workshop and placed on display for a service on Orthodox Christmas Eve.
Church attendee Tatiana says her wish this year is simple.
"It is very important to pray for our Russia. It is very important because I want peace. I want to have a peaceful sky above us."
In the southern Russian city of Belgorod, Orthodox Christmas services were cancelled due to fighting, including Ukraine's deadliest cross-border attack of the war, where 25 people were killed on December 30.
But at his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo in the western suburbs of Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin has joined the families of Russian soldiers at a service.
Unlike last year, Mr Putin made no call for a ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with the holiday.
Facing elections in March, he softened the language in his speech to focus on traditional values and unity.
"You know that many of our men, our courageous, heroic guys, Russian warriors, even now, on this holiday, defend the interests of our country with arms in hand…I am not going to touch the delicate, difficult even, things concerning your families — not today, on the holiday."
In Ukraine, many had already marked Christmas on December 25, along with most of the Christian world, in a move aimed at distancing the country from Russian traditions and influence.
The change came into effect for the first time this December, after a law was signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July that reflected the dismay of Ukrainians with the Russian invasion.
But there were Christmas services in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine and for members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who decided not to switch to the December 25 date.
37-year-old IT specialist Andrii Korhut says he is following his usual Christmas rituals, including a feast of 12 dishes and making a wish for the new year.
"Victory, of course Ukraine's victory in this war. And peace, so that people can live calmly and create new things."
In Australia, members of the Ukrainian community have gathered at the Intercession of The Holy Virgin Parish, part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sydney’s inner west.
Archpriest Michael Smolynec says people are adjusting to the date change in different ways, particularly with the self-governing structure of the Orthodox churches in different regions.
He has told SBS what's important is the sentiment of the holy day.
"We don't celebrate a date, We celebrate an event. This is a process for diaspora to join with brothers and sisters in Ukraine, which will happen... It will naturally take its course over the coming months and year. And I hope that we can all be together. And I think that is the main aim, I think of this process is to come to and understanding of the idea of being one."
Meanwhile in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus in a number of biblical accounts, conflict has also overshadowed the holy day.
There is no Christmas tree nor any festive decorations.
As with the December 25 Christmas, the war in Gaza means there is a ban on concerts and celebratory events.
The Mayor of Bethlehem, Hana Hananiyeh, says small crowds gathered in Manger Square to welcome various Orthodox Christian churches - but that was the extent of festivities.
"We are not going to celebrate this year because this aggression against our people in Gaza Strip, and we can describe it as ethnic cleansing and as a genocide. So how we could celebrate in Bethlehem and our people, are killed every single day in Gaza Strip."
Egypt's President, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, joined Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Christians attending mass at the Cathedral of Nativity of Christ, east of Cairo.
The fighting in Gaza has pushed hundreds of thousands of Palestinians towards the Egyptian border at Rafah.
The president has told church attendees that the world has witnessed several crises since 2020, and he hopes 2024 will bring with it positive change.
"God willing, this year will be happy for all of us, and we will overcome, thanks to God, the major existing crises. We seek at least a ceasefire and the entry of aid in order to relieve the burden on our brothers and people in Gaza, and then after that there will be a solution to the issue that is renewed every few years and it hurts us all."
