Christmas in Russia. Enjoy the beautiful and magic Christmas postcards.

Orthodox Christmas in Russia is celebrated on January 7 because the Orthodox church use Julian calendar. Catholic church use the Gregorian calendar which was brought by Pope of Rome Grogoriy XIII in 1582 and the Catholic Christmas is celebrated on December 25. The difference between two calendars is 13 days now.

Some history facts

In Russia before 1918 Christmas was the main holiday for all Russians. The Russians prepared for the holiday carefully: they cleared their houses up, cooked the delicious food. On the christmas eve there was only one evening meal. The Russians kept themselves from the food till the evening. On the evening meal there was the plain food: vegetables and fish. That was the last day of the advent. The people went to the church and participated in a night procession.

The christmas meal was delisious: grilled goose stuffed with the apples, chicken with pickles, greens and tomatoes, salads, fruit and berries, different pies. The Russians had the Christmas meal, then presented the gifts to each other.

In the Soviet Union the churches were destroyed, the orthodoxy was forbidden, the priests were prisoned. Since perestroika the orthodoxy was being revived. Now it is one of the main holidays in Russian

Cristmas in Russia nowadays

Christmas is celebrated in Russia on January 7. On the Christmas Eve (January 6) the Russians keep themselves from the food till the evening. On the evening meal there is the plain food then people go to the church and participate in a procession during the night. The procession is broadcast by TV. January 7 is the day off in Russia. Russians congratulate each other and presented the gifts to each other.

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