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| Image courtesy of Tom from Pixabay |
While many of us associate Christmas with festive cheer on the 25th of December, Russia celebrates its Christmas in a way that’s unique and steeped in ancient tradition.
With Orthodox roots and customs that date back centuries, Russian Christmas is a blend of faith, family, and timeless folklore.
Celebrated on January 7th, Christmas in Russia offers an enchanting view of how a holiday can be both reverent and magical.
Here’s a look at what makes Russian Christmas so special.
1. A January Celebration: The Influence of the Orthodox Church
Unlike much of the world, Russians celebrate Christmas on January 7th due to the Russian Orthodox Church following the old Julian calendar. While Western Christianity marks December 25th, the Orthodox Church recognises the 7th of January, giving Russian Christmas a distinct character and a holiday season that lasts well into the New Year.
The festive period in Russia traditionally starts with New Year’s Eve, which is often considered more important than Christmas itself. New Year celebrations are full of sparkle, gift-giving, and visits from Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and his granddaughter Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden), who bring presents to children. Once New Year’s Day has been celebrated, Russians turn to Christmas and its quieter, more reflective observances.
2. Christmas Eve: The Beginning of the Holiday
The celebration of Russian Christmas formally begins on Christmas Eve, January 6th. Observant Christians fast for 40 days leading up to this, eating their last meal on the morning of Christmas Eve. As evening arrives, families gather for a special meal to break the fast, called the Holy Supper. Tradition holds that people shouldn’t eat until the first star appears in the sky, symbolising the Star of Bethlehem.
The meal on Christmas Eve is often simple, reflecting the Orthodox faith’s emphasis on humility and reverence. The supper usually includes 12 dishes, representing the Twelve Apostles, and consists of meat-free options like kutya (a dish of wheat or rice with honey and poppy seeds), soups, pickled vegetables, and bread. Kutya is traditionally blessed by a priest, and each family member is expected to have at least one spoonful as a wish for health and prosperity.
3. Russian Christmas Traditions and Customs
Russian Christmas customs are rich with folklore and ancient traditions that add a magical feel to the holiday. For example, it’s common for people to dress in costumes on Christmas Eve and participate in kolyadki, a custom where people go from house to house singing carols and bringing good wishes. In return, they’re often given small gifts or treats.
Church services are central to Russian Christmas, with people gathering for the midnight liturgy on Christmas Eve, filling cathedrals with candlelight and choral music. Orthodox services are usually long but deeply spiritual, with worshippers standing throughout. Churches are decorated with icons, ornate candle stands, and sometimes even fir trees – though Russians typically don’t use them as Christmas trees, they are sometimes placed near churches as symbols of life and resilience.
4. Celebrating Christmas Day
On Christmas Day itself, people celebrate by attending the Divine Liturgy, which is considered the most important service of the holiday. Many families visit their local church, and even those who may not typically attend services will often go on Christmas to observe the occasion.
After the service, the day is spent in the company of family and friends. Unlike in the West, where Christmas Day might involve a big meal or party, Russian Christmas is generally quieter, with families coming together for modest meals, prayer, and reflection. A shared sense of peace and goodwill characterises the day, and it is as much about unity as it is about celebration.
5. Christmas Food: Hearty and Homely
Russian Christmas foods are often hearty, with dishes prepared to celebrate the end of the fast. While there are regional variations, a few traditional favourites include:
Roasted meats like pork, duck, or goose, which are considered festive and often take centre stage at Christmas meals.
Pelmeni (dumplings) and pirozhki (stuffed bread rolls), which can be filled with anything from mushrooms to cabbage to meat.
Vinaigrette salad, a traditional Russian beet salad made with potatoes, carrots, and pickles, is a popular side dish.
Honey cakes and pryaniki (spiced biscuits) often appear for dessert, along with the iconic Russian tea served from a samovar, a traditional Russian tea urn.
One dessert closely tied to Christmas is sochivo (a type of sweet grain pudding similar to kutya). Like in many Orthodox countries, this dish is both symbolic and traditional, served on Christmas Eve as a symbol of life, family, and prosperity.
6. Post-Christmas Celebrations: The Festival of Svyatki
In Russia, the holiday spirit extends well beyond Christmas Day with a period known as Svyatki, or "Holy Days," which lasts until January 19th, marking the Epiphany. Svyatki is a time for family gatherings, storytelling, and ancient customs, such as fortune-telling rituals that remain popular, especially among young people. It’s also a time for giving to the poor, with many people making a point to extend goodwill and charity during this period.
The Festival of Svyatki highlights how Christmas in Russia doesn’t simply end after a single day of celebration; rather, it’s an extended season of joy, reflection, and community.
7. Christmas in Russia: A Time for Faith, Family, and Tradition
Russian Christmas offers a compelling view of how a holiday can be celebrated with reverence and tradition. While lacking the commercialised glitter often associated with Christmas in the West, Russian Christmas embodies a spirit of warmth, faith, and familial bonds. As families gather to share kutya, sing kolyadki, and partake in church services, the holiday’s focus on community and spirituality shines through.
In Russia, Christmas is a season to pause, reflect, and celebrate not only with loved ones but with a shared sense of heritage that has endured through the ages. For anyone lucky enough to experience a Russian Christmas, it is truly a time of wonder and warmth in the midst of winter’s chill.