Christmas in Russia
Christmas around the world is a time of excitement and magic, celebrated with a variety of different Christmas traditions around the world. There is no reason that you and your family can’t add a couple of different Christmas traditions from another Christmas around the world to your list.
With so many different customs and cultures abundant in our great country it is always an excellent idea to see how other people spend Christmas around the world. Perhaps you and your family make a night or afternoon out of looking at different Christmas traditions around the world. In Russia most Christian Russians belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church which still uses the Old Julian calendar, so the Christmas celebration is thirteen days behind our Gregorian calendar, thus making Christmas Eve held not until January 6th.
In Russia it is customary to fast until after the first church service on Christmas Eve, than afterwards a festive meatless Christmas Eve dinner is served. A special porridge called Kutya made of wheat berries and other grains is served followed by a blessing of the home. Babouschka is thought to bring gifts to the children.
Another of the popular traditions at many a Christmas around the world is that of attending church service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. In Russia church services are attended on Christmas Eve followed by people carrying candles, torches and homemade lanterns around the church.
