How to celebrate Christmas in Russia? Traditions of celebrating Christmas in Russia

According to the Orthodox tradition, Christmas falls at night from 6 to 7 January. On this day the Redeemer of all human sins appeared, the Savior, who initiated a new era and became one of the main figures in both historical science and theology. Now we will consider how to celebrate Christmas in Russia in our time, what is the history of this celebration, its features, traditions, signs and much more.

Why this date?

We will begin, perhaps, with the discussion of the birthday of Christ. Why do all the Orthodox Christians celebrate the feast of the Nativity of Christ in Russia on the night of January 6-7? According to some sacred sources, Jesus is considered the second Adam on Earth, the second and most precious son of God. His first son, as is known, became the cause of the fall, for which he was expelled from Paradise. The other, on the contrary, redeemed all human sins and vices and was accepted into the Paradise of the Lord after the crucifixion. In the Old Testament it is said that Adam was created on the sixth day of the existence of the world. Following a similar analogy, people came to the conclusion that in the same way Jesus was born on the 6th day of the new year and the new era.

Period of paganism in Kievan Rus

Almost 1000 years have passed since the birth of Christ to the date of the official Baptism of Rus . All this time our country remained pagan, and, as it is easy to assume, traditions, temples, rites and other sacral rituals here were completely different. Nevertheless, approximately 300-ies in Kiev began to form Christian communities, which in their own way and according to their rules celebrated Christmas in Ancient Rus. In those years, the main decoration of the houses was not a Christmas tree, as it became later, but a metal object. He could have any shape and size, the main thing is to fit under the table. All members of the family took turns sitting down and putting their feet to him. It was believed that iron gives man its strength, strength and endurance. Another attribute is the imitation of Jesus' creches. Such miniatures have always been adorned with houses and streets for Christmas. Traditions in Russia also touched festive tables. During the 6th of January, people did not eat all day, but sat down for dinner only for supper. The main dishes were fish, flour products and sweets. Until the official baptism of the whole country, these traditions were spread among the people and firmly rooted in people's minds.

Christmas in the X-XV century

In 988 (the date is approximate), Vladimir Krasnoe Solnishko baptized all of Rus. From now on, the official religion of the country became Orthodox Christianity, and all the holidays that the representatives of this faith had long celebrated in other powers moved to our lands. With them appeared the first traditions of the celebration of Christmas in Russia, which included both the date and the features of the kitchen, and the type of decoration of houses and streets, and even the behavior of people. The main aspect of that time was that Christmas was inextricably associated with the Carnival. It was a period of great fasting, during which it was forbidden to eat meat. And it was recommended to conclude business transactions, sell goods or buy something new. Also people during this period made new acquaintances, baptized children and got married. In short, any undertaking during the Christmas season for Shrovetide was doomed to success.

New trends of new centuries

Meanwhile, as Christmas is celebrated in Russia today and as it was in the 17-18 centuries, there is a significant difference. And what exactly it is, we will now consider. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Polish national tradition, the Vertep, penetrated into Russia. It quickly "changed" in our country and became an integral part of Christmas in all cities and villages. The bottom line was that in a special box-scene performances were played with the help of puppets. Initially, they showed how a little Jesus was born and how his parents hide in a cave from Herod. Later, the script could be any, most importantly, that he imitated some segment of the life of the Savior. Also in these years are established those traditions of the celebration of Christmas in Russia, which exist to this day. In each house a Christmas tree is dressed, which is a symbol of celebration. She was baked cookies in the form of cookies, set candles, decorated with cloth, ribbons, miniatures of nurseries in which Jesus was born.

Where did the gifts come from under the Christmas tree?

We all know how to celebrate Christmas in Russia today. This is a decorated Christmas tree, gifts, Holy Evening, fortune-telling, carols and much more. But where did all this come from? Approximately at the end of the 19th century - the beginning of the 20th people began to present to each other in gifts not only a meal, but also valuable things, souvenirs. In short, the people themselves gave birth to the tradition of gifting each other. And in order that all this looked more mysterious, such gifts were decided to put under the Christmas tree. Very soon appeared in the country and the analogue of the Western Santa Claus - Grandfather Frost. How did Christmas celebrate Russia in the late 19th century? About the same as today. Father Frost gave presents to children and adults, his image was the basis of the celebration, and almost all men changed into red coats and clung to themselves long white beards to congratulate their children.

The basic traditions that are rooted in the people

In the past centuries, Christmas in Russia was invariably accompanied by caroling. The ceremony consisted in the fact that young people visited the homes of all their friends, friends, relatives and neighbors. They performed folk songs for them on Christian themes, which told about the Savior's Birth. For this they were rewarded with all sorts of goodies. Another important tradition was the wearing of kutya. The hosts, who brought this Christmas dish, had to taste it and thank their guests. On the day after Christmas Eve, that is, on January 7, everyone went to the obligatory church service, where they put candles in the name of the Savior and all his relatives, living and dead.

Furnishings of the house

Modern families, which can be attributed to believers, perfectly know how to celebrate Christmas in Russia these days, and why traditions are such. The main thing - before the triumph should be properly cleaned in the house. You need to sweep away all the garbage and dirt, throw out the trash and old unnecessary things, put everything in order. After it is necessary to start preparing the evening. Some areas of our country preferred to cook on this holiday only fast food - flour and all sorts of sweets. Most of the territory preferred dishes from pork, chicken, duck. The holiday of the Nativity of Christ in Russia was always accompanied by a pie. It could be kulebyaka, cheesecakes, kalachi or just pies. Vareniki were cooked most often in Ukraine.

Divination at Christmas Eve

According to NV Gogol's stories, it is possible to accurately determine how Christmas was celebrated in Russia in the past centuries and what rituals were the main ones that day. Girls have always wondered about their future. In this case, this action was not just a mystical character, and even frightening, which gave birth to many legends and fables. The most popular subject for divination was a candle. It was lit by the mirror, and next to it was a bowl with water. The girl tilted the candle over the water, and the wax fell down, forming figures. They predicted the future, deciphering in their own way signs and intricate symbols. Also there was a belief, then in the light of a candle you can see in the mirror the face of the narrowed one. But this fortune telling was one of the most terrible, and not all of them practiced.

Secular traditions

Today in Russia, January 7 is officially a day off. This holiday is the second most important after Easter in the whole Christian world. It has an analogue in Catholic states - the same Christmas, which, however, is celebrated on December 25. At Christmas, as in the distant ancient centuries, it is customary to go to church and attend the liturgy, which tells about the appearance of the Savior, about his life and peculiarities. However, this event is not mandatory for all citizens, and not all attend it at will. Nevertheless, presentations on sacred subjects are arranged near all the major temples of cities, and everyone can take part in them.