Other traditional dishes include pies meat, mushroom, fish, or vegetable fillings. A drink called сбитень (ZBEEtyn'), made with spices and honey, is also served. (сбитень was once the most popular drink in Russia, before tea took over.)
To some, vodka isn't traditionally thought of as a Christmas drink. But in Russia, it's the spirit of choice all year round.
During the celebration, we can still observe such ancient elements of Russian holiday as fortune-telling on Christmas Eve, koliada, and singing carols (kalyadki), while worshipers follow a strict fast, which ends when the first star appears in the sky on the night of Christmas Eve.
Tea. Tea has a significant role in Russian culture. Due to the cold Northern climate, it became the most popular drink, and today is considered a national drink of Russia. Locals love to drink tea always and everywhere!
Kvas. After vodka, kvas is the most famous Russian drink. It is carbonated and may contain approximately 1% alcohol. It's prepared through fermentation of flour and malt or dry rye bread, sometimes with the addition of herbs and honey.
Russian liquor, more popularly known as vodka, is a well-known alcoholic beverage worldwide. Vodkas are closely identified with Russian culture and are considered the country's national drink. It is a colorless, odorless liquor derived from grains such as wheat, barley, rye bread, or potatoes.
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.
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.
You might find that some Russians will loudly exhale after toasting before taking a drink. This is a custom that comes from an old adage that exhaling will prevent a hangover.
Long-standing Russian Christmas customs include caroling, fortune-telling, and following a strict Nativity Fast for forty days leading up to Christmas Eve.
Kutya/Sochivo
Kutya (sometimes called sochivo) is a ceremonial sweet grain dish that symbolizes unity and is often eaten around the Christmas holiday in Russia. Kutya is a pudding-like dessert made with wheat berries, poppy seeds, nuts, and dried fruit, which is then sweetened with honey.
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.
Christmas colors Russian Santa carving - emerald green with Christmas red, frosted brown fur trim and accents of gold found throughout this blue eyed Santa. He holds a staff in one hand and a small tree in the other.
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.
According to Russian Orthodox tradition, Christmas is preceded by a 40-day fast excluding meat and dairy products. The fast is broken on Christmas Eve with a dish of sweetened cooked grain followed by a full-blown feast the next day.
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.
Alcoholism has been a problem throughout the country's history because drinking is a pervasive, socially acceptable behaviour in Russian society and alcohol has also been a major source of government revenue for centuries. It has repeatedly been targeted as a major national problem, with mixed results.
Breakfast - The first meal
Coffee or tea is an essential drink for many Russians. Many people eat a toast with cheese and drink juice for breakfast.
In fact, the country is one of the world's largest consumers of alcohol per capita. The average Russian drinks more than twice the maximum amount considered healthy by the World Health Organization.