On Christmas Eve (6 January), there are several long church services, including the Royal Hours and Vespers combined with the Divine Liturgy. The family will then return home for the traditional Christmas Eve (Holy Supper), which consists of 12 dishes, one to honour each of the Twelve Apostles.
Prior to Christmas Day, there is Christmas Eve, which marks the start of an old Slavic holiday, Svyatki, in which young women used a mirror and candles to invoke the image of their future husbands. Like going to church, fortune-telling on Christmas Eve is again becoming popular in Russia.
In Russia, Christmas is a family holiday. Traditionally, most Russians celebrate it with their relatives and loved ones. During this time of love and forgiveness, people may present their Christmas gifts to each other to show their affinity or just to make others a little bit happier.
Christmas is preceded by 40-day Nativity Fast, which ends on Christmas Eve (January 6). Nativity Fast is the last long one of the entire year. Nativity Fast provides renewal of spiritual unity with God and is a preparation for the celebration of Christmas.
Long-standing Russian Christmas customs include caroling, fortune-telling, and following a strict Nativity Fast for forty days leading up to Christmas Eve.
Unlike the bloated, red-coated father Christmas of the West, Russia's Santa Claus, known as Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost), is slender with a wizard-like flowing beard and he wears a long robe that comes in different colors, such as blue and white.
Some Orthodox Christian traditions in Russia mimic Christmas traditions in other parts of Eastern Europe. As is the custom in Poland, in Russia, people will cover their floors and tables in hay to represent baby Jesus's manger. A white tablecloth is then laid out to symbolize the clothes Jesus was swaddled in.
Christmas in Russia is normally celebrated on January 7th (only a few Catholics might celebrate it on the 25th December). The date is different because the Russian Orthodox Church uses the old 'Julian' calendar for religious celebration days. The Orthodox Church also celebrates Advent.
Christmas colors Russian Santa carving - emerald green with Christmas red, frosted brown fur trim and accents of gold found throughout this blue eyed Santa.
Although Russia follows the Gregorian calendar, like India and most of the world, the country's Orthodox Church still follows the Julian calendar and celebrates Christmas on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 on the Gregorian calendar.
In Russia, the festive fir known to the world as the Christmas tree goes by another name: the New Year yolka. The history behind this tradition encompasses pagan rituals, tsars and tsarinas and Soviet anti-religious propaganda. 30 December 2021.
January 7, Christmas – This is the Russian Orthodox Christmas. February 23, Soldier's Day – Formerly Soviet Army Day, this holiday honors Russian men and is the counterpart to International Women's Day.
In England and Australia, you'll often hear Happy Christmas, but in the US and Canada, Merry is the star of the show.
Christmas, or as it's known in Russian Рождество (Razdestvo), is actually observed in Russia on January 7. It's a state holiday and a day off. As is the same in all Christian nations, Christmas in Russia is a celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas Eve is called “sochelnik” after “sochivo”, the name of the ritual meal to be eaten on that day. Sochivo or kutya is a kind of kasha of wheat or barley, rye, buckwheat, peas, lentils, mixed with honey. The number of meals was ritual too, 12 (the number of apostles).
The Russians still celebrate pagan holidays, many people believe in numerous omens and legends. Christianity gave Russians such great holidays as Easter and Christmas, and Paganism – Maslenitsa (Shrovetide) and Ivan Kupala. Old traditions are passed on from generation to generation.
Gift giving is one of the most beloved traditions of Christmas (especially for children) and it goes back to when the Three Wise Men offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to baby Jesus in the manger. Gifts are usually placed under the Christmas tree or within stockings in festive patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Australia
What is Santa Claus called in Australia? These days most Australians call Atnas (his real name) “Santa”.
In the Russian Christmas tradition Father Christmas is always accompanied by his granddaughter. Her name is Snegurochka a snow maiden.
Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden, is a popular seasonal figure in Russian culture.
Olivier Potato Salad (Салат Оливье)
Go to any Russian household and it's guaranteed to have Olivier salad on their Christmas feast. This traditional salad features boiled potatoes, carrots, eggs, ham or bologna, pickles, peas, and apples coated in a rich mayo dressing.
A Russian Christmas Party by Leo Tolstoy is about a generous family on the brink of ruin whose mother pins their hopes for restoring their fortune on their son, Nicolas' marriage to a wealthy bride.