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Orthodox Christmas Day in Russia is celebrated on January 7th, due to the Russian Orthodox Church's adherence to the Julian calendar for religious celebration dates, which runs 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used in most other parts of the world. This discrepancy is a result of the Gregorian calendar reform introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, which was not adopted by the Russian Church.
The observance of Orthodox Christmas encompasses various traditions:
Christmas Eve (January 6th): Known as "Sochelnik," it involves a strict fast that culminates with a traditional meal called "Holy Supper" (Сочельник), consisting of 12 dishes symbolizing the twelve apostles. The dinner typically includes kutya (a sweet grain pudding), borscht, fish, and other meatless dishes.
Church Services: Many Russians attend a midnight service on Christmas Eve or a morning service on Christmas Day. The services are rich with choral music and liturgical traditions.
Christmas Day (January 7th): Families gather for festive meals and give gifts to children. The day is often spent visiting friends and relatives.
Today, while Orthodox Christmas is less commercialized than its Western counterpart, it is still recognized as a national holiday in Russia. People enjoy time off work to celebrate with family and engage in various winter activities like sledding or ice skating. In recent years, more secular Christmas decorations and lights have become common in cities.
Orthodox Christmas remains an important religious observance for many Russians who value it not only for its spiritual meaning but also as an integral part of their cultural heritage. It serves as a time to reflect on religious traditions and enjoy the company of loved ones.
