Christmas in Russia

Many Russian families celebrate Christmas on December 25, but the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Orthodox Christmas on January 7. Orthodox Christmas is preceded by a strict fasting regimen that lasts as long as forty days for many families. The long fast is broken when the first stars are visible in the sky on Christmas Eve (January 6). To learn more about the customs and traditions of Christmas in Russia check out the links on this page.Russian Crafts: Russian Christmas

In Russia there is a story about an old woman the children refer to as Babushka. She was always so busy cleaning and working that when the Three Wise Men came to her door and asked her to come with them to celebrate the birth of the savior, she declined their offer. Later on she regretted her decision and set out after them with a basket of gifts for the newborn Christ child, but she never found him. Today, Russian children believe that Babushka wanders the villages on Christmas Eve looking for the baby Jesus. She is said to leave gifts at the homes of well-behaved children. Children in Italy tell a similar story about a Christmas witch named La Befana.Santa's Net: Russian Christmas

Christmas in Russia was previously celebrated on December 25th as it was in the rest of the world, with a Christmas trees, gifts and Saint Nicholas. After the 1917 Revolution, Christmas was banned throughout Russia, it was1992 before Christmas was openly observed again. The Russia church still uses the old Julian calendar which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used in the Western nations. Most Russians celebrate Christmas on January 7th, but a few Russians have begun to celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December.

Today, Christmas is celebrated with an all-night Mass in Cathedrals. The main religion is Russian Orthodox. Many only eat meat, eggs or milk a few weeks before Christmas and it is a custom to fast until after the first church service on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve dinner is meatless but a festive meal. A typical Christmas dinner includes hot roast Pirog and Pelmeni.The most important ingredient is a special porridge called kuty is eaten from a common dish to symbolize unity.

An important Christmas ceremony is the blessing of individual homes, a priest visits each home accompanied with vessels of holy water sprinkled throughout the house, which is believed to usher in happiness and fortune to them. Another custom on the first day of Christmas, young children go from house to house carrying a star and singing carols and receive sweets.http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/russia.htm