Holiday season in Russia

[alexandral]

I was reading koalathebear post and thought if she could like to know about "Holiday season" in Russia.

In Russia Chrismas is not celebrated on December 25. Russian Christmas is celebrated on January 7 in accordance with old Julian calendar, which is still used by Russian Orthodox church. This is mostly religious holiday of birth of Jesus and is called "Rogdestvo", "The Birth" in literal translation. This holiday wasn't a public holiday until few years ago.

The main day of traditional winter holiday season in Russia is The New Year day, which is also celebrated twice - 1 and 13 of January, as according to Julian and Gregorian calendar. This is very winter celebration , and if anything, there is no lack of snow in the most parts of Russia! Santa Claus in called Father Frost and Christmas tree The New Year tree. People buy each other presents for the New Year.

I am always feeling slightly strange in UK during the winter holidays, because THERE IS NO SNOW! I know it is daft, but for me winter holidays without snow is a strange thing! UK's winter feels like a VERY long autumn to me. ;)And the difference in Christmas days and the way of celebration of it..

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, everyone!

Comments

[koalathebear.livejournal.com]

Oh thank you, it's so much fun to find out about everywhere else in the world. So now that you are in the UK, does this mean you have to celebrate Christmas twice? Once in December and once in January? When I was younger, I used to jokingly celebrate my birthday twice - once according to the solar calendar, and once according to the lunar calendar. I was only given one set of presents though. Alas.

I'm a bit disappointed because as you know in Australia we have a green or a brown Christmas so I was looking forward to at least having a white Christmas here in Beijing - but it's so cold and dry this year that there is no snow!!!

Thank you again for sharing. How do you say Merry Christmas in Russian?

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

So now that you are in the UK, does this mean you have to celebrate Christmas twice? Once in December and once in January?

Our way of celebrating is just to have "family" time and enjoy ourselves! We always go for a walk and picnic on Christams day together with the families from our church to the Bolton Abbey.

Some views of Bolton Abbey (http://www.yorkshire-dales.com/bolton-abbey-views.html)

Our celebrations of Christmas are quite low-key : as you know, i believe in Jesus and truly think that Christmas nowadays is too much of the "serving the money" thing! BUT I DON'T WANT TO SPOIL IT TO ANYBODY! (so i will not go into details)
We have New Year evening "party" at the church usually, with "talent shows", "baking competitions" and things like that! But our family will be going to Wales this year.

I don't usually celebrate 7 of January, as i am usually working on this day! ;)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

O, sorry, forgot to write that "Merry Christmas" in Russian is
"S Rogdestvom Hristovim"

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

Happy holidays to you too dear - I thought you were already in Wales so I didn't answer your comment from last night; will get to it ;)

Am up waaaaay before I need to be to catch my bus ... Heh! So I get to play on the computer for a bit instead. And let me leave you with my only Russian holiday-related phrase: C Новым Годом... (Or really, one of my only Russian phrases at all ;))

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

O, we are going to Wales from Wednesday next week (sorry for confusing everybody) C Новым Годом!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Just realized how early it is in New York! I just have jot up 1 hour ago and you are up already???????? On Christmas Eve?

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

Hee! I woke up at 6:45 - I have to leave at a little after 8. And I packed everything last night, so ... I've got time ;)

[winterspel.livejournal.com]

This is lovely to hear about what it is like in Russia - thank you so much for sharing it! We have plenty of snow here in my tiny village - if I could send some over to you, I would! It's just white everywhere, and sometimes the sky is the exact same color as the snow.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Your comments are always such a feel-good factor! I have gotten "Love actually" from Blockbusters!! (i am bursting to share this with you!)

[winterspel.livejournal.com]

I have gotten "Love actually" from Blockbusters!! (i am bursting to share this with you!)

Yay! I look forward to hearing your thoughts about it once you've seen it. It's just a sweet movie (although, maybe not for children, because there is nudity in it and cursing).

[kiaforrest.livejournal.com]

the first winter we were here - I'm in Alabama in the US - it was 68degrees on Christmas Day! It was an odd year, I've since learned, but I hung diapers on the line & literally danced in the yard That year. I do Not miss snow, but I suspect I've mentioned that a time or four hundred ::grin::

In Russia, do you all celebrate Epiphany? or the 12 days? Is Advent a season? I sound like one of my children

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I think Advent is a season in Russian Orthodox church, and they celebrate Epiphany and many other holidays, for example Pentecost. But often people not all that sure to when all the dates are, mainly because of many years of communism.

The "Velikiy Post" or Great Post is very popular in Russia, so is Easter., which is determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after spring equinox. Easter is either one Sunday later then western one or (rarely) five Sundays later. The rest of the movable holidays (the beginnging of the Great Post, for example) are adjusted accordingly.

[gobi-rex.livejournal.com]

Next time people ask me about Russian Christmas traditions, I'll quote your post. When I try to do explain it myself, I end up rambling and getting confused talking about the old calendar.

I started spending Christmas Eve with my mother's Polish friends and it turned into a tradition of sorts. For the last couple of years they also invite their Chinese friends and they seem to have a good time. The only downside is that by the time Russian Xmas and Old New Year's comes around, I'm all partied out.

Have a terrific holiday in Wales, Alexandra.

С новым годом!


[ok, time to return to cooking mushrooms now]

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Next time people ask me about Russian Christmas traditions, I'll quote your post. When I try to do explain it myself, I end up rambling and getting confused talking about the old calendar.
Everybody is asking me about Russian Christmas holidays in UK! It is interesting for people to know about other country's traditions!

Your Christmas plans sound great!

С новым годом!