How Does Russian Christmas Differ From American Christmas?

Russian Christmas is celebrated Jan. 7, not Dec. 25

In accordance with the old Julian calendar, the Russian Orthodox Church holds its Christmas celebrations Jan. 7 traditionally for 6 days. Fundamentalist followers of the Russian Orthodox tradition fast from Christmas Eve until the first star appears in the sky. The following meal is both joyous and solemn and is usually Lenten in nature--meaning no meat, dairy or sweets are consumed.

The Christmas, or "Holy Supper," includes traditional foods

Foods eaten for the Christmas meal are symbolic of the Twelve Apostles. There is some variation on exactly what is eaten, depending on the family's traditions and geographic area, but a sample menu would consist of:
1) A mushroom or sauerkraut soup
2) Pagach bread (a round Lenten loaf)
3) Chopped garlic (symbolic of life's bitterness)
4) Honey (symbolic of life's sweetness)
5) Mixed nuts
6) Fruits, such as oranges or dates
7) Baked cod
8) A mixture of shredded potatoes and red kidney beans
9) Peas
10) Potatoes, usually seasoned with parsley
11) Traditional poppy seed biscuits called Bobal'ki
12) Wine

The Russian Santa Claus named Grandfather Frost

In the west, children call him Santa Claus, but in Russia, St. Nicholas is called Ded Moroz or Grandfather Frost. Grandfather Frost, who represents the spirit of wintertime, brings gifts to children much like Santa. However, Grandather Frost is helped not by elves or reindeer, but by his daughter, Snyegurochka, the snowmaiden.

Children are encouraged to stay up late

Once the traditional Christmas dinner has been eaten, the family often attends church services, followed by parties, and may not return home until dawn the next day. This circuit of parties and singing may involve what is known as a Krestny Khod, caroling led by the senior member of the particular church.

Christmas festivals continue after the actual holiday

"Christmastide," which lasts until Jan. 19, is a flurry of parties and festivals (of both Christian and pagan elements). Jan. 19, or the "Christening," ends the season with processions to local rivers or lakes. Russian Orthodox priests then submerge a large cross into the water (which is usually frozen), and traditionally, Russians retrieve small vials of the blessed water to sprinkle around their homes to bring luck and peace for the new year.

Resources

• Russian Christmas Recipes
• Christmas in Russia
• Christmas blog from Yuri Mamchur, director of Discovery Institute's Real Russia Project