Christmas

To allow full excavation of the historic house in Turkey of St. Nicholas -- also known as Santa Claus -- the state must assume control of local land around the site, according to the chief historian on duty. Click through for the story in photos...

Today is the most depressing day of the year, called "sad Monday" by the British.

The reason for this is the Christmas-New Year holidays, from which our bodies are tired and the empty bank accounts. The mornings are still very dark and the sun is too weak to regenerate our vitamin D levels.

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Ana Brnabic on Friday extended her Christmas message to Serbian Patriarch Irenaeus and believers who observe the Julian calendar, wishing that they may spend the holiday in peace and good mood, with their families and friends.

The share of retailers who reported a decline in sales over the Christmas period has dropped below 50 percent for the first time in the last few years, according to a survey by the Institute of the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Enterprises (INEMY-ESEE).

Orthodox Christians in Serbia, and in several other countries, mark the holiday on January 7.

According to the Serbian government's website, in her message. Brnabic wished those celebrating "to pass this holiday in peace and good spirit with their families and friends."

The last few hours of the special Christmas initiative of the National Library. As a gift for the holidays, all fans of books and knowledge could receive a one-year free card.

Athens International Airport will regale travelers with the latest in its series of "Fly Me to the Moon!" events on December 31. Highlights include the traditional Greek Christmas goblins who entertain travelers with skits and jokes, a holiday theme photo booth and Christmas carol singing, with dancing, from the Bracera band. Events take place in the Departures Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Shoppers walk along Ermou Street, central Athens's main retail district, on Wednesday, as the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE) dampened overoptimistic projections regarding the market's performance over the Christmas holidays.

Pope Francis on Dec. 25 called for peace in Jerusalem in his traditional Christmas address and highlighted the plight of children scarred by conflict, after urging the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics not to ignore migrants.

The holy night of Christmas was celebrated across Turkey late on Dec. 24, gathering Christians in Turkey and people of all religions and cultures visiting from around the world.