Old-style Christmas, celebrated according to the Julian calendar on January 7, is an official non-working holiday in the Republic of Moldova and a central element of cultural and religious identity. The event is marked by Orthodox believers who follow the ancient tradition and is followed on 8 January by the Soborul of the Virgin Mary, a day dedicated to honor the Virgin Mary. For many communities, especially rural ones, the feast reflects the continuity of traditions and attachment to local values.
Preparations begin on Christmas Eve, January 6, a day dedicated to fasting, general cleanliness and preparing traditional dishes. The evening meal is fasting, and in some regions it is served only after the first star has appeared in the sky. January 7 begins with Holy Mass, followed by festive family meals. The typical menu includes dishes such as sarmale, piftie (piftie), roast pork and pork sausages, along with pies and cakes. One of the most important customs is carol singing, practiced by groups of children and adults who proclaim the Nativity and are rewarded with gifts of colas, sweets or money. The feast ends on January 8, a quieter day of recollection and continued family visits. There is a difference between rural areas, where traditions are rigorously preserved with widespread community participation, and urban areas, where the celebration is adapted to modern lifestyles but retains essential elements such as family meals and carol singing.