Orthodox Christmas in Russia
New Year is the big party with tree and gifts, but our Christmas is time for home, church, and old traditions
How do Russians celebrate Orthodox Christmas?
Christmas in Russia is different — and beautiful in its own way
We celebrate on January 7 (Orthodox Christmas), following the old Julian calendar. That's why after New Year (January 1) the party continues — lights, trees, and magic last almost two weeks
What we do:
We celebrate on January 7 (Orthodox Christmas), following the old Julian calendar. That's why after New Year (January 1) the party continues — lights, trees, and magic last almost two weeks
What we do:
- Family dinner with 12 meatless dishes (kutya, borscht, vareniki)
- Church at midnight — bells, candles, ancient chants that give goosebumps
- Caroling (kolyadki) — kids in costumes go house to house singing for treats
- Fortune-telling games (mostly girls) — old Slavic tradition to see the future
- Sleigh rides, ice skating, fireworks
In Soviet times (1920s–1980s) Christmas was banned — religion was "opium for the people". They moved the tree and gifts to New Year, called Grandfather Frost (Ded Moroz) instead of Saint Nicholas.
After 1991 everything came back — churches reopened, people returned to old traditions. Now it's a mix: Soviet New Year vibe + real Orthodox Christmas spirit.
We love this time — the snow, the quiet after New Year rush, the feeling that winter is just beginning.
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