Traditions of The East

[Imagine]

Ever wondered how christmas is celebrated in Russia?

Here's a glimpse:

A True Russian Christmas
misha

A "true" Russian Christmas like over the world is the celebration of the Birth of the baby Jesus. For Russian Orthodox Christians, this day is extremely Holy.


The Christmas celebrations begin in November, when Lent (Fasting) before Christmas begins. Russian people stop eating any product that comes from an animal with the exception of seafood. Dairy products, CHOCOLATES! and all!


As with other Eastern traditions, Russian Christmas is on the Old Calendar: falling on 7th January- to the Church, this is the 25 December.


On the night of Christmas eve, Russian people go to Church for the Christmas Mass, and then go home. Not much celebrating takes place, rather off to bed, and then up in the morning and straight to church for the Christmas day Liturgy.


After church people will go to the home of one relative so that the family can all be together. Here, the family gives gifts, and have Christmas lunch - the main meal of Christmas. All day the children will go from door to door caroling the song "THY NATIVITY" or "Your Birth";as will the church choir.


Russians decorate their homes with the Christmas tree as does the west, and often put pine leaves on their front doors, and in the house.


The greeting c Rodzhestvom Kristovom is said - meaning "The Birth of Christ!" - it is a time for families and friends.


Christmas is celebrated for 6 days, and the Chritsmas tree is usually taken down at the end on January after the feast day of the Baptism of Christ.


Misha

Another view:Two Types of Christmas
Shon

There are primarily 2 types of Christmas. The first being the Orthodox celebration which begings with decorating and touching up a family icon in the cener of a wheel. From there the families would go door to door singing "Christ is born" and spining the wheel to send the message to the home.


The second is more geared to December 31... with a snowmaiden bringing bags of candy for the children and father winter listening to girls and boys sing songs and recite poems at which time he would take little trinkets off the tree and give small gifts for the children who share.

(hallowmas?) why these are in all caps I am not sure..but this is how i received it.

The Story of Baboushka
Grandfather Frost

IN RUSSIA BABOUSHKA A WITCH VISITS THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN GOOD ON CHRISTAMAS EVE. SHE WAS THE ONE WHO TOLD THE 3 WISE MEN TO GO A DIFFERENT WAY HOME. IF SHE DIDN'T THE KING HEROD WOULD HAVE FOUND THE BABY JESUS AND KILLED HIM. THE NAME MIGHT BE FAMILIAR "BABOUSHKA" A KERCHIF LIKE THING YOU WEAR ON YOUR HEAD. RUSSIA ALSO HAS GRANDFATHER FROST THE INVENTOR OF SNOW.

[CitizenOfWorld]

Regards - Allan

[CitizenOfWorld]

Why did Russians become communist and then go back to religion again.

Can anybody tell me the reason?

Regards

Thomas

[andrewblow]

Firstly - how come ou have so many names - both eastern and western ??

Secondly, the Russian people have had a massive tradition of Christianity, but this was trodden down by the Czars and then - when the people sought freedom - it came with a price-tag: Athiesm.

However (as I have personally witnessed in my visits to Russia) this did not stop people believing and - although thousands were killed, or sent to Siberia (I have a personal friend who spent 2 years with hard labour for writing and singing christian songs)- and now there is a level of true 'freedom', the christian faith is booming. I was at a new church in Moscow last summer and the human poverty was very apparent, but the living faith of the people there was an enormous joy and an encouragement to me.

IMAGINE: I have tried to e-mail you, but it got returned

Love to all,
Andrew

[Imagine]

many things are happening...

my mail is passportofthemind@yahoo.com

Great to see you back here!