Russian Orthodox Christmas
We celebrate Russian Orthodox Christmas on January, 7th. We still use old Julian calendar for this kind of things - and it's exactly 13 days delayed from Gregorian. Guess we love to be special in everything - including dates!
Russian Orthodox Christmas history is long and tragic. In 1917 it was banned by Bolsheviks - forever, as it seemed then. Many decades have passed - and people are finally free again to celebrate it!
The Christmas is widely celebrated - both by official Orthodox church and common folks. Just like with Easter, there's a good reason to - Christmas Eve marks the end of six weeks Fast. Now that's a relief!
Christmas Eve dinner is still meatless - although the dishes are prepared with upcoming feast in mind. The main one is called "Kutya" - a porridge made of wheat, all kind of grain and berries. It symbolizes pureness and immortality, but with all due respect - I don't think it's that tasty.
As I said before, nothing should keep us from having a good meal - and I firmly believe we can celebrate this wonderful event without getting *too* religious!
Another tradition worth mentioning is called "Kolyadovanie". Just like Halloween's "trick-or-treat", it used to be the time when kids dressed in all kinds of masks went from house to house and earned coins and candies with their singing.
Too bad it hasn't lived on - the kids must are lovely when they sing. Alas, it's hard to imagine them doing this in a big city like Moscow...
By the way, the name "Kolyada" means "Christmas" in old Slavic languages - so now you know where that strange name comes from!
Russian churches celebrate Christmas widely. There's a whole tradition of prayers, hymns and candle-lighting, which is frankly not too interesting.
However, if you pass a church - be ready to stumble upon a procession of people with icons and torches, led by the priest. It's called "Krestny Khod" and may seem a little strange and even medieval, but don't worry - they are harmless 
Once they walk around the church, they get inside to continue the celebration - and you may surely join if you wish. Just be careful not to take too many pictures - you may hurt people's feelings!
The Patriarch himself performs Christmas service in Moscow's main church- The Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
The ceremony is shown almost on every Russian TV channel - including all the major ones. Russia's leading politicians, together with the President, attend the service.
Boy am I glad Christmas was restored! Thanks to the fall of Communism, Russia is returning to its roots - and Christmas is the strongest one of all. Although we may not celebrate it like our grandparents (no "Kutya" for sure!), but we still care a great deal for it.
Let's go celebrate!
Related posts:
- Victory Day in Russia
- Victory Day in Russia 2009. City of Chekhov, Moscow region.
- Russian Orthodox Easter
- Russian New Year - a complete guide!
- Russian holidays page 3
- Russian holidays page 2
- Russian Holidays
- Russian Maslenitsa
- International Women's Day in Moscow, Russia
