The ups and downs of Christmas in Russia
Like any other Christian country in the world, Christmas in Russia is a national holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus. However, it was not until the end of the 10th century, when Russia recognized Christianity as an official religion, that Russians began to celebrate this special holiday. The first Christmas in Moscow was on December 25, 988.
Interestingly, Orthodox Christians in Russia and some Eastern European countries celebrate Christmas on January 7 every year, 13 days later than Catholic Christmas (December 25) in the Americas, Australia, Western Europe and some countries in Africa. The reason is because while European countries gradually switched to using the new calendar called Gregorian since 1582, Russians still use the old Julian calendar.
The Gregorian calendar was only adopted in 1918 by decree of the Soviet Government, January 31 of that year was changed to February 14. But for political reasons, the Soviet Union banned all people from celebrating Christmas. It was not until 72 years later, in 1992, that the ban was lifted and people happily celebrated Christmas in Moscow and other localities. However, the Orthodox Church in Russia continued to celebrate Christmas on December 25 according to the Julian calendar, which is January 7 of the following year according to the Gregorian calendar.
Currently, the two calendars differ by 13 days. Currently, other Orthodox churches that follow the Julian calendar include those in Jerusalem, the Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Serbia, Poland... This is the reason why Easter, Christmas and some other religious holidays in these places are 2 weeks later.
INTERESTING CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS IN RUSSIA
Christmas is one of the most important holidays for Orthodox Christians, marking the end of Lent. About 2.3 million Orthodox believers in Russia (about 75% of the population) flock to churches, participate in processions, Christmas Eve services, sing carols... This solemn event is held in thousands of cities and towns across the Russian Federation, starting on Christmas Eve, called Sochyelnik.
Most people fast for several days to purify their bodies before Sochyelnik, which can last up to 40 days before Christmas. During these days, meat, eggs, milk, and animal fats are not allowed. Some Russians who do not fast, or attend church, still celebrate Christmas, because they see it as a holiday of love, acceptance, and tolerance.
Christmas market in Red Square
On Christmas Eve, Orthodox Christians in Russia will sit around a large fire and focus on praying, partly to dispel the cold of the winter night, partly for spiritual meaning. Russians believe that the fire will dispel the darkness to start a year of bountiful harvests and help the souls of the deceased not to be cold. After that, they organize a big, cozy party with their families. Traditional dishes on the table include pickled cucumbers, pickled mushrooms, sauerkraut, pickled apples, meat pies, mushrooms, fish, vegetables... They also have a tradition of giving gifts to each other, decorating their houses with angels, stars and nativity scenes.
A visit to Moscow for Christmas during a trip to Russia will leave you with an overwhelming appetite for food because the 12-course feast is incredibly delicious, including traditional dishes and regional specialties. But there must always be a thick porridge made from wheat or barley and raisins.
And on the first day of Christmas, the wives had to stay home to clean the house and do the cooking while the husbands went out to visit neighbors and relatives. And on the second day, the opposite happened, the husbands stayed home while the wives went out to meet people.
Ded Moroz and Snegurochka
The land of birch trees has its own version of Santa Claus, different from the image of a jolly, fat old man dressed in red appearing in Hollywood movies and on Christmas cards in the US. Santa Claus in Russia is called Ded Moroz, usually wearing a red, blue or yellow fur coat, traditional Russian boots and riding a horse-drawn carriage instead of reindeer. His assistant is his granddaughter Snegurochka - a snow princess with rosy cheeks, blond hair and a very smiley face. Instead of Christmas Eve, Ded Moroz usually gives gifts to children on New Year's Eve.
Ded Moroz drives a tricycle to deliver gifts
Not at the North Pole, where Russian children can meet Ded Moroz is an estate in the town of Veliky Ustyug, Vologda Oblast. Russian children also write letters to Santa Claus in the hope that their wishes will come true. Tourists often flock here at Christmas to take pictures with Santa, ride the troika - the three-horse sleigh that Ded Moroz drives to deliver gifts - and participate in winter entertainment.
Like many other countries, on Christmas, all the streets in Russia, big or small, are sparkling with lights, the warm and joyful atmosphere is everywhere. Let's admire some more pictures of Christmas in Russia.
