What is the Russian tradition for Christmas?

Russian Christmas traditions center on a quiet, spiritual observance on January 7th (due to the Orthodox calendar), featuring a strict fast leading to a 12-dish Holy Supper on Christmas Eve (Sochelnik), with foods symbolizing the Apostles, followed by church services, caroling (kolyadki), fortune-telling during the Svyatki period, and feasting after breaking the fast, contrasting with the secular, gift-focused New Year's celebrations.

What traditions do Russians do on Christmas?

Caroling is popular, and families attend church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to celebrate the Nativity. Homes are decorated with candles, evergreens, and sometimes small nativity scenes. While Christmas in Russia is a time of faith and reflection, family togetherness is also at the heart of the holiday.

Why does Russia celebrate Christmas on January 7th?

Russia celebrates Christmas on January 7th because the Russian Orthodox Church follows the older Julian calendar, which is currently 13 days behind the standard Gregorian calendar used by most Western countries, making December 25th on the Julian calendar equivalent to January 7th on the Gregorian calendar. This calendar difference dates back to when the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582, but many Orthodox churches retained the Julian system to preserve tradition. 

How to wish someone a happy Orthodox Christmas?

To wish someone a Happy Orthodox Christmas, the most traditional and meaningful greeting is "Christ is Born!" with the customary response being "Glorify Him!," used throughout the Nativity season (the first 12 days). You can also simply say "Merry Christmas" or add a blessing like "May this holy season bring peace and joy," but the traditional exchange is deeply rooted in Orthodox faith. 

What do Russians do on December 25th?

Russia differs with many western countries in that Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January, not on the 25th of December. Religious people go to church, since there is a big celebration there. Others stay at home and have a small Christmas dinner with family and friends.

Traditional Christmas fair opens in Moscow's Red Square

What do Russians have instead of Santa?

Instead of Santa Claus, Russians have Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost), a legendary figure who brings gifts for New Year's with his granddaughter, Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden), arriving in a traditional three-horse sleigh (troyka) rather than reindeer, and wearing a long, often blue or silver, coat with a magical staff, delivering presents for the biggest celebration of the year, New Year's Eve.
 

Do Russian Orthodox believe in Jesus?

Yes, the Russian Orthodox Church, as a branch of Eastern Orthodoxy, centers its faith on Jesus Christ, believing Him to be God's Son, fully divine and fully human, the central figure for salvation, worship, and doctrine. They adhere to the Nicene Creed, affirming Jesus as the "true God of true God," incarnated from the Virgin Mary for humanity's redemption, with all sacraments and liturgical life revolving around His Person and saving work.
 

What does ☦ vs ✝ mean?

The main difference is denominational: ✝️ (Latin Cross) is the common symbol for Western Christianity (Catholic, Protestant), while ☦️ (Orthodox Cross, or Russian Cross) with its three bars (one short top, one long middle, one slanted bottom) represents Eastern Orthodoxy, symbolizing Christ's crucifixion with the slanted footrest representing the penitent thief going up and the unrepentant going down. Both express Christian faith, but ✝️ is simpler, whereas ☦️ carries specific Eastern theological meaning about the Crucifixion and judgment.
 

Do Russian Orthodox say "Merry Christmas"?

This is because of Russia's affiliation with the Orthodox church.. So, instead of wishing someone a Merry Christmas and happy new year, in Russian, they say «С Новым Годом и c Рождеством» (Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!).

Is it okay to say "Feliz Navidad"?

Yes, it is absolutely okay and very common to say "¡Feliz Navidad!" (Merry Christmas!) as it's the standard Spanish greeting for the holiday, used across the Spanish-speaking world and understood globally thanks to the popular song, making it a perfect, versatile, and respectful way to wish someone well during Christmas. You can also extend it with "¡Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo!" (Merry Christmas and a happy new year!) for a fuller greeting, or respond with "¡Feliz Navidad a ti también!" (Merry Christmas to you too!). 

What gifts are given for Russian Christmas?

For Russian Christmas (Orthodox Christmas on January 7th), gifts often include traditional souvenirs like Matryoshka dolls, amber, or Khokhloma items, but more generally, guests bring thoughtful items for the festive meal like chocolates, sweets, gingerbread, good wine, or quality alcohol, emphasizing warmth and sharing during the post-church celebration.
 

Was Jesus born on January 7th?

No, Jesus wasn't definitively born on January 7th; the exact date is unknown, but many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th (or 6th) because they follow the older Julian calendar while most Western churches use the Gregorian calendar. The Bible doesn't state his birth date, but scholars estimate it was between 6 and 4 BC, and December 25th was adopted in the West, possibly to coincide with Roman winter solstice festivals.
 

How long was Christmas banned in Russia?

In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was made into the important time. Following the revolution in 1917, Christmas was banned as a religious holiday in 1929 and Christmas Trees were banned until 1935 when they turned into 'New Year' Trees!

What do Russians eat for Christmas?

Savory Russian Christmas dishes

• Olivier salad. ...
• Pirozhki (stuffed buns) ...
• Deviled eggs. ...
• Dried mushroom soup. ...
• Kulebyaka (Russian salmon pie) ...
• Pagach (stuffed bread rolls) ...
• Pelmeni (Russian meat dumplings) ...
• Golubtsi (Russian cabbage rolls)

What do they call Santa in Russia?

The Russian equivalent of Santa Claus is Ded Moroz, which means "Grandfather Frost" or "Father Frost," a tall, wizard-like figure with a long beard who brings gifts, usually on New Year's Eve, accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden). Unlike Santa, Ded Moroz traditionally wears a blue or silver robe, a fur hat, and carries a staff, traveling by a sleigh pulled by three horses (a troika), not reindeer.
 

What are Russian superstitions for Christmas?

Christmas Superstitions

You may catch Russians doing something unusual on the Christmas night – they may go outside and make a wish under a falling star in the sky! This particular tradition is rather unique, and is called 'zvezdolikaya letopis' (falling star journal).

What is Russian xmas called?

Christmas in Russia (Russian: Рождество Христово, Rozhdestvo Khristovo), called Е́же по пло́ти Рождество Господа Бога и Спа́са нашего Иисуса Христа (Yezhe po ploti Rozhdestvo Gospoda Boga i Spasa nashego Yisusa Khrista) in the Russian Orthodox Church, is a holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Can Orthodox say God bless you?

We kiss his hand because we are honoring Christ, whom he represents and receiving His blessing. When a priest or bishop at any time says to you: “God bless you” the proper response is “Thank you”. It is not customary to return the blessing.

What do Russians do instead of Christmas?

Russians focus their main winter festivities, gift-giving, and tree decorating on New Year's Eve (Novy God) (December 31st), featuring Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and his granddaughter Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), as Christmas was suppressed under Soviet rule and traditions were transferred. Orthodox Christmas is celebrated later, on January 7th, as a more religious holiday with church services and festive dinners, but New Year remains the biggest secular celebration.
 

Can Catholics use ☦?

Current usage

"Though commonly associated with the Russian Orthodox Church, this [cross] is found also in the Greek and Serbian Orthodox churches" and is also used by Eastern Rite Catholic Churches.

What does the 🔱 emoji mean?

The 🔱 emoji represents a Trident Emblem, a three-pronged spear often held by sea gods like Poseidon (Greek) or Neptune (Roman) and symbolizes divine power, authority, and the ocean. It's also used to represent the sea, protection of marine life, or simply as a cool symbol in usernames, similar to a pitchfork.
 

Is 🙏 a praying emoji?

Yes, the 🙏 (Folded Hands) emoji is widely used for prayer, hope, and spirituality, but it also carries other meanings like "thank you," "please," a respectful greeting (like Namaste), or even a "high five" in some contexts, depending on cultural background and individual interpretation. Its core meaning often relates to asking, thanking, or showing reverence.
 

Is Putin an Orthodox?

Yes, Vladimir Putin identifies as a Russian Orthodox Christian, though his relationship with the faith is often described as complex, blending personal belief with strategic political use to bolster Russian nationalism, traditional values, and state power, frequently appearing with Patriarch Kirill and invoking religious concepts in his rhetoric. 

Is orthodox Christianity LGBTQ friendly?

No, traditional Orthodox Christianity does not support LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex marriage, viewing homosexual acts as sinful and contrary to scripture, though pastoral approaches vary, with some clergy offering compassionate care while upholding doctrine, and some advocating for inclusion within existing traditions. The church teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman, but emphasizes loving and caring for all people, including those with same-sex attraction, often encouraging chastity outside of heterosexual marriage.
 

What do Orthodox call Jesus?

We said yesterday that Jesus was known as 'Yeshua' to his friends and family. This name, we remarked, means 'Savior'. 'Yeshua' is also the name, in Hebrew, for the Old Testament hero Joshua.

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