While our holidays have come and gone, Russia is still celebrating! Today is Christmas Eve in Russia.
Prior to the year 1917, Christmas was celebrated in Russia much the same way it is celebrated in many other parts of the world with trees, Saint Nicholas, etc. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Bolsheviks banned Christmas and began using the Gregorian calender. Many of the traditions around Christmas (decorating a tree, presents) were transferred to New Years Eve. During Communism Christmas was not celebrated. New Years became the traditional holiday. It wasn't until 1991 that Christmas became an official holiday in Russia. However, the date to celebrate Christmas in Russia is on January 7th per the Russian Orthodox Church. The church celebrates religious holidays according the the Julian calender. There is a 13 day difference between the Gregorian and Julian calender, hence why we celebrate December 25 and the Russians celebrate on January 7th.
Preparing for Russian Christmas begins on November 28th with a forty day Lent. From my understanding, meat is completely avoided. Other foods may be avoided like dairy and eggs.Christmas Day is a family holiday and a National holiday, but not as important as New Years Eve. New Years Eve is to Russians what Christmas is to most other people around the world, without a religious aspect. New Years Eve is a time to celebrate and exchange gifts. Few Russians have begun to celebrate Christmas on January 7th, but it doesn't really mean much to the vast majority of the country.
The country pretty much shuts down from December 31 until January 10th due to both holidays. Here in Moscow, the streets are empty. The metro traffic is light. We have noticed a considerable decrease in the amount of grocery goods available for purchase. Many shelves are empty.
Prior to the year 1917, Christmas was celebrated in Russia much the same way it is celebrated in many other parts of the world with trees, Saint Nicholas, etc. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Bolsheviks banned Christmas and began using the Gregorian calender. Many of the traditions around Christmas (decorating a tree, presents) were transferred to New Years Eve. During Communism Christmas was not celebrated. New Years became the traditional holiday. It wasn't until 1991 that Christmas became an official holiday in Russia. However, the date to celebrate Christmas in Russia is on January 7th per the Russian Orthodox Church. The church celebrates religious holidays according the the Julian calender. There is a 13 day difference between the Gregorian and Julian calender, hence why we celebrate December 25 and the Russians celebrate on January 7th.
Preparing for Russian Christmas begins on November 28th with a forty day Lent. From my understanding, meat is completely avoided. Other foods may be avoided like dairy and eggs.Christmas Day is a family holiday and a National holiday, but not as important as New Years Eve. New Years Eve is to Russians what Christmas is to most other people around the world, without a religious aspect. New Years Eve is a time to celebrate and exchange gifts. Few Russians have begun to celebrate Christmas on January 7th, but it doesn't really mean much to the vast majority of the country.
The country pretty much shuts down from December 31 until January 10th due to both holidays. Here in Moscow, the streets are empty. The metro traffic is light. We have noticed a considerable decrease in the amount of grocery goods available for purchase. Many shelves are empty.
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