Christmas in
Russia
Celebrated: January 7 (Russian Orthodox Christmas)
Signature traditions
- 1.Christmas falls on January 7 because the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar
- 2.A 40-day fast (Nativity Fast) precedes Christmas, ending Christmas Eve at the first star
- 3.Holy Supper (Sviata Vechera) on January 6 — 12 meatless dishes representing the 12 apostles
- 4.Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and his granddaughter Snegurochka (Snow Maiden) bring gifts on New Year's Eve, not Christmas
- 5.Carolers performing 'kolyada' songs door to door, often in elaborate costumes
What's on the table
Kutia and the 12 dishes
The Holy Supper centers on kutia — a sweet wheat berry porridge with poppy seeds, honey, and walnuts that symbolizes hope and immortality. The 12 dishes are all meatless, including borscht, pierogi-style dumplings, and pickled fish.
The iconic decoration
The yolka (New Year tree)
Soviet-era restrictions pushed Christmas traditions to New Year's, so the decorated tree is a 'New Year tree' (yolka), put up in late December and kept until mid-January.
How gifts are given
Ded Moroz brings gifts on New Year's Eve (December 31 going into January 1), not Christmas. Christmas itself is more religious and family-focused.
Did you know?
Ded Moroz is taller and more wizard-like than Santa Claus, wears a long blue or red coat, carries a magical staff, and travels in a troika (three-horse sled). His granddaughter Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden, accompanies him — there's no Mrs. Claus equivalent.