Russian Christmas, with its rich tradition and symbolism, has been able to stay alive over the centuries despite decades of communist oppression. Under communist rule, New Year's became the primary holiday for Russians, but many of the customs and religious observances surrounding the Russian Christmas were still practiced, . In post-Communist Russia, the celebration of a traditional Russian Christmas is experiencing a rebirth, with most Russians still eager to celebrate the holiday practices of their ancestors. Does this Spark an idea?
History
Historically, the Russian Christmas celebrations lasted for weeks as families gathered together to celebrate Christ's birth. After the Russian Revolution of 1917 when the Communists gained control of the country, Russian Christmas and other religious celebrations were banned. It was during this period that New Year's became the most celebrated holiday, with many of the Russian Christmas traditions being moved to that holiday under a more secular disguise.
Time Frame
Russian Christmas does not take place on Dec. 25, as it does in most other areas of the world. When the Gregorian Calendar was adopted by many countries in the 1500s, Russia chose to continue using the Julian Calendar, even as recently as the early 1900s. The Russian Christmas, as adopted by the Russian Orthodox Church, takes place Jan. 7 in the Gregorian Calendar because that date is actually Dec. 25 in the Julian Calendar. However, many Russians still celebrate Christmas along with the New Year's holiday on Jan. 1.
Features
It is customary for Russians to fast on the Russian Christmas Eve until the first star is spotted in the sky. Once the star is seen, the Russian Christmas festivities begin. The Russian Christmas Eve dinner, often called "The Holy Supper," includes 12 foods and is begun with prayers and the father of each family stating the traditional Christmas greeting of "Christ is born!" Russian mothers bless everyone by drawing a cross with honey on their foreheads. Next the Lenten bread is eaten, first dipped in honey and then in garlic, followed by the dishes of "The Holy Supper." These courses normally include mushroom or sauerkraut soup, Lenten bread, chopped garlic, honey, baked fish, oranges, figs and dates, nuts, seasoned kidney beans, peas, parsley potatoes, Bobal'ki (biscuits with sauerkraut or poppy seed and honey) and red wine.
After the Russian Christmas Eve meal, presents are opened and families attend Christmas Mass. During the Russian Christmas Day, many Russians attend church again and then spend the day visiting, eating, drinking and singing carols.
Traditional Russian Christmas trees, or yolkas, are found in many homes on the days leading up to and following the Russian Christmas. Customary decorations include the hand-carved stacking matrioshka dolls, fruit and other homemade ornaments.
Because the inclusion of St. Nicholas was banned under Communism, Russian children are visited by Grandfather Frost and his granddaughter the Snowmaiden on New Year's Eve or Christmas Eve. He brings presents to Russian children in his decorated sleigh led by reindeer.
Significance
Many of the customs of a Russian Christmas are highly symbolic of the events surrounding the birth of Christ and his life. The 12 dishes of "The Holy Supper" are symbolic of Christ's 12 Apostles. The table is laid with a white cloth to symbolize the swaddling clothes in which Baby Jesus was wrapped and hay as a reminder of the lowly manger in which he was born. Lenten bread, which is round in shape, is meant to signify Christ as the "Bread of Life." Honey on the foreheads is meant to bless the person with sweetness and good things in the following year, while dipping the Lenten bread in honey and then garlic symbolizes life's sweetness and bitterness.
Considerations
It is remarkable that the practices of the Russian Christmas survived under the oppressive Communist regime that dominated Russia for so many decades in the 20th century. While many Russian Christmas traditions were translated to New Year's traditions, the meaning behind the customs remained the same. Today many Russians are again openly celebrating the Russian Christmas on the Russian Orthodox date of Jan. 7, while others celebrate Russian Christmas on both New Year's and the Orthodox date.
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