As in the old days they celebrated Christmas and baptism. What are the traditions of celebrating the Nativity of Christ in Russia and in Russia? Differences between Catholic Christmas and Orthodox

Christmas Christovo is one of the main annual Christian holidays.

Traditions and customs to celebrate this great day are passed down from generation to generation and are an integral part of the original culture of each country. Christmas in Russia began to celebrate in the X century. The day and night before Christmas, Christmas Eve, were celebrated modestly and calmly, and the following days were cheerful and provocative in Russian.

Before Christmas, this was done in a special way. According to the customs of the ancestors, fire was produced by striking a spark, and flint and flint for 12 days before that lay under the images. The hostess was baptized three times and, turning to the rising sun, made a fire, set fire to a rod from it, and only after that melted the stove, in which there were 12 specially selected logs.

On this fire, 12 Lenten dishes were prepared, among which uzvar was obligatory - a drink made from dried fruits and honey, and kutya - porridge made from wheat and barley. Kutia with honey was called "sochivom", hence the "Christmas Eve" originated. By the way, the ashes from the Christmas fire were used in various magical rites.

At first, adults treated domestic animals with kutya and uzvar, while children made sounds reminiscent of their voices so that nothing bad would happen to them in the new year.

After that, the sheaf was placed under the icons, tied with an iron chain, and a plowshare and a collar were placed next to it. The hostess took out a clean white tablecloth and covered the whole structure with it.

Iron tools were laid out around him. All those present had to touch them in turn with their bare feet, so that health would be as strong as iron.

And in order to scare away evil spirits, the couple went around the house and yard with freshly baked bread, honey and poppy seeds. Poppy seeds were scattered in the barn, and garlic was laid out in all corners.

In the evening, a large fire was lit in the yard, so that the dead relatives in the next world would also be warm. The household stood near the fire in deep silence, remembering the departed and praying for them.

Then a child up to seven years old, whose soul was considered innocent and sinless, put three baked rolls, a pinch of salt on the hay lying on the table, and put a large wax candle. Only after all these rituals could it be served on the table. Everyone was smartly dressed, and now that everything in the house is tidied up and ready for the holiday, it remains only to wait for the first star to appear in the frosty night sky.

The father was the first to sit at the table, followed by the mother, and the children in order of seniority. The owner, taking a spoonful of kutya, read a prayer for the deceased relatives. It was believed that their souls come to earth on this day and see everything. Therefore, especially for them, they also set plates with refreshments.

During dinner, no one except the hostess was allowed to get up, and it was necessary to talk quietly and calmly.

Carol, carol!

Christmas carol came

Christmas Eve:

We walked, we searched

holy carol

In all yards

All the lanes…

At the end of their song, the carolers, who go to praise Christ, congratulate the hosts on the onset of the holiday, and wish them all the best. The hospitable hosts immediately bring some treats to the singers, who have one person specially walking with a bag. So carolers, accompanied by noisy children, traveled throughout the village.

With the first strike of the morning bell, everyone hurried to the church for a festive service. After matins, the youth arranged dashing skiing and sleigh rides from the mountains, accompanied by cheerful laughter and songs.

Now festive table full of goodies: traditionally cooked jelly, suckling pig, fried chicken, pork head with horseradish, sausage and honey gingerbread.

From the second day of the holiday, in the evenings, new entertainments began - processions of mummers. Many people, dressed in clothes turned inside out, wearing masks, sang songs and danced not only in the villages, but also in the city squares.

More on Christmas they loved to arrange various parties, conversations, went to visit each other, and, of course, they could not do without fortune-telling.

I. N. Kramskoy. Holy divination. 1870s.

ancient greeting card to the holidays.

One of the main Christian holidays - Christmas - Orthodox Church celebrates January 7th. In Russia, Christmas began to be celebrated after the introduction of Christianity - in the 10th century. It happened at a time when the ancient Slavs celebrated their multi-day winter holiday - carols.

Christmas was preceded by a 40-day Philip fast. On the eve of the holiday, all the Orthodox celebrated Christmas Eve. Before the appearance of the first star in the sky, it was impossible to eat. The evening meal began with a ritual porridge - kutya. It was boiled from peeled barley, wheat, rice or other cereals and seasoned with honey, raisins and juice - poppy, hemp, almond or other seed juice, which was called milk. On Christmas Eve, such porridge was placed on a table covered with straw, and on top with a tablecloth. They took out a straw and guessed. It turns out to be long - a good flax crop will be born, and short - there will be a crop failure. That evening they tangled the legs of the table so that the cattle would not run. The girls gathered outside the outskirts and threw handfuls of snow against the wind. If the snow fell noisily, it foreshadowed a handsome young groom, if it was inaudible and crooked, it meant being behind a deaf or old man.

On Christmas Day itself, they usually baked krupichchaty kalachi, perepechi (small rye koloboks), dough figures depicting small cows, bulls, sheep and other animals, and sent them as a gift to relatives and friends. The main treats on the festive table were pork meat and a Christmas goose with apples.

"Christmas time has come. What a joy!"

Between the holidays of the Nativity of Christ (January 7) and the Baptism of the Lord (January 19), Christmas time is celebrated - twelve holy days established by the Orthodox Church in memory of the birth of Christ and his baptism in the Jordan. To sanctify, that is, to keep holy, to keep holy for twelve days after Christmas, the church began from ancient times. These days it was forbidden to perform the sacrament of marriage, start games, dances, sing seductive songs through the streets, dress up in idol robes (from the word "idol" - an image, a statue of a pagan deity). It was also forbidden to work, especially after dark. In many places, however, the sanctity of these days was violated by divination, disguise and other customs preserved from the pagan holiday of carols, which sang the cult of nature. Carols, like Christmas time, were celebrated during the winter solstice. According to the ancient views of the Slavs, this is the time of new life, the renewal of nature, the boundary period between the old and new economic years, this is finally a turn to summer, to warmth, which brings fertility and fun. "On the carol of the day, it arrived on the chicken foot" - they said among the people.

There is a version that the word "carols" comes from the word "calends", which the Romans called the beginning of the new year. Kolyada is a Slavic mythological character associated with the beginning of the spring solar cycle, "the god of celebrations and peace," according to the historian N. M. Karamzin.

The rituals of carols were aimed at making bread grow and cattle multiplying, so that there would be prosperity in the house, happiness in the family, but above all, so that life would not stop. This was also sung in carol songs:

... And God forbid that

Who is in this house!

The rye is thick for him,

Dinner rye!

Him with an ear of octopus,

From the grain of his carpet,

From semi-grain - a pie.

The Lord would give you

And living, and being,

And wealth...

Caroling began on Christmas Eve. The youth wore makeshift masks, linen beards, and playful costumes, consisting of the thinnest zipuns turned out with wool. Usually four guys carried a stuffed mare, tied from straw. A teenage boy, dressed in the costume of a humpbacked old man with a long beard, was placed astride the "mare". Kolyada, as a rule, was depicted by a mummer in the form of a goat. They also dressed up as a horse, a cow and other animals that embodied fertility. In a noisy, cheerful gang, guys, girls and boys broke into houses, sang, danced, offered to tell fortunes. The hosts were supposed to not let guests go without gifts and treats. For which the mummers promised them complete well-being and happiness. The stingy, who gave nothing, could sing this:

Kolyada, molyada,

The carol has been born!

Who serves the pie -

Therefore, the yard of the abdomen,

More small cattle

You don't know the numbers!

Who doesn't give

pennies -

Let's close the loopholes

Who does not give cakes -

Let's close the windows

Who does not give a pie -

Let's take the cow by the horns

Who will not give bread -

Let's take grandfather

Who will not give ham -

Let's split the cast iron!

After unsuccessful attempts to eradicate the carol, the Christian church included it in the Christmas time, contrasting the games and rituals of the carol with the glorification of Christ, walking with a star, etc. In carol songs, the people began to sing Jesus Christ, the events of the holidays of Christmas and New Year. The clergy got involved in this kind of creativity, churchmen began to compose book carols - "kants".

So Christmas time became the embodiment of pagan and Christian beliefs, the most saturated holiday with various customs, rituals and signs. From pagan times, for example, the custom has been preserved to dress up at Christmas time in funny and formidable masks. According to the existing belief, from Christmas to Epiphany, all dark forces are activated, and the mummers, pretending to be demons, must drive away evil spirits. The filth of dressing was washed off on the feast of Epiphany with holy water.

Twelve holy days laid the foundation for the next year, so it was customary to spend Christmas time not only fun, but also in love and harmony with loved ones. We went to visit each other, congratulated on the holiday.

“At Christmas time, the most strict mother,” we read in S. V. Maksimov’s book “The Unclean, Unknown and Cross Power,” “will not force her daughter to spin and will not keep a needle on long winter evenings, when a cheerful song of guys pours in a wide wave when in the "fat" hut, at gatherings, an accordion is poured, and crowds of girls, timidly clinging to each other, run to "listen" under the windows and guess in the field.

On "holy evenings" women spun tight balls of yarn to produce tight cabbages. It was a sin to weave, otherwise misfortune would happen on the holiday. It was a sin to hunt animals and birds at Christmas time.

Girls usually dressed up in other people's sundresses and covered their faces with a scarf, the most lively dressed in a men's suit. The boys wore women's dresses. So they intrigued and fooled acquaintances from other villages when they came to visit them.

Two nights at Christmas time were devoted to fortune-telling: the first - on St. Basil's Day (from January 13 to 14), the second - on Epiphany (from January 18 to 19).

Christmas time is characterized by "cleansing" rites: fumigation and sprinkling of peasant buildings with water, throwing out garbage, church consecration of water in reservoirs to expel evil spirits from there, etc.

LITERATURE

Zabylin M. Russian people. His customs, rituals, traditions, superstitions and poetry. M., 1880.

Karamzin N.M. Traditions of the Ages. Tales, legends, stories from the "History of the Russian State". M., 1987.

Kostomarov N. I. Domestic life and customs of the Great Russian people. M., 1993.

All year round. Russian agricultural calendar. Compiled by A.F. Nekrylova. M., 1989.

Maksimov S.V. Unclean, unknown and cross power. Smolensk, 1995.

World of Russian culture. Encyclopedic reference book. M., 1997.

Christmas Eve - Christmas Eve - was celebrated modestly both in the palaces of Russian emperors and in the huts of peasants. But the next day, fun and revelry began - Christmas time. Many mistakenly classify all sorts of fortune-telling and mummers as traditions of celebrating Christmas. Indeed, there were those who guessed, dressed up as bears, pigs and various evil spirits, frightened children and girls. For greater persuasiveness, they made from various materials scary masks. But these traditions are pagan relics.

. The Church has always opposed such phenomena, which have nothing to do with Christianity.

Glorification can be attributed to the true Christmas traditions. On the feast of the Nativity of Christ, when the gospel was heard for the liturgy, the patriarch himself, with the whole spiritual synclite, came to glorify Christ and congratulate the sovereign in his chambers; from there everyone went with the cross and holy water to the queen and other members of the royal family. As for the origin of the rite of glorification, it can be assumed that it belongs to the deepest Christian antiquity; its beginning can be seen in those congratulations that at one time were brought to Emperor Constantine the Great by his singers, while singing the kontakion to the birth of Christ: "The Virgin Gives Birth to the Most Substantial Today." The tradition of glorification was very widespread among the people. Youth, children went from house to house or stopped under the windows and praised the born Christ, and also wished good and prosperity to the owners in songs and jokes. The hosts gave refreshments to the participants of such concerts - congratulations, competing in generosity and hospitality. It was considered bad form to refuse treats to the praisers, and the artists even took large bags with them - sacks to collect sweet trophies.

In the 16th century, the nativity scene became an integral part of worship. So in the old days the puppet theater was called, showing the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The law of the nativity scene forbade showing the dolls of the Virgin and the Divine Infant, they were always replaced with an icon. But the Magi, shepherds and other characters worshiping the newborn Jesus could be portrayed both with the help of puppets and with the help of actors.

The meeting of the celebration of Christmas is preceded by Christmas Eve - the last day before the twelfth holiday. Those who fasted on this day were supposed to eat sochivo - barley or wheat grains cooked with the addition of honey. From the morning of Christmas Eve, believers began to prepare for the holiday: they washed the floors, cleaned the house, after which they themselves went to the bathhouse. With the onset of the evening meal, the strict Philippine fast also ended.

All the relatives gathered at the table were waiting for the first star to appear in the sky - this tradition was inspired by the story of Christmas with the Star of Bethlehem, which announced the birth of the Messiah to the world.

It is very interesting how Christmas was celebrated in the old days. On Christmas Eve, the housewives began to prepare ritual dishes, which should be exactly 12 on the table - so that all the apostles would have enough. To commemorate the dead, kutya was prepared - wheat porridge seasoned with linseed oil and honey. A plate with kutya was placed under the icons, putting it under the first hay - this was supposed to resemble the first cradle of Jesus. They also made a vzvar (uzvar) - a compote of dried fruits and berries, which was dedicated to the birth of a baby. The Christmas table should be varied and hearty, so they certainly baked pies, pancakes and pies. With the end of a long fast, meat dishes returned to the table: sausages, hams, ham. Roasted pig or goose was welcome.

Straw was laid under the tablecloth on the table. At first, a candle and a plate with kutya were placed on it, then a straw was pulled out from under the tablecloth, on which they were guessing - if you get a long one, then the bread harvest will be good, but otherwise, wait for a crop failure. Already on Christmas Eve it was impossible to work (except for household cleaning).

Describing how Christmas was celebrated in Russia, one cannot fail to mention one of the brightest and most interesting traditions - caroling. Initially, this tradition was pagan, one of the types of sun worship. But over the following centuries, Christianity erased almost all pagan traditions from the people's memory or built them into the system of its own rituals. In the villages, dressed in sheepskin coats turned inside out and with painted faces, the youth began to go from house to house, near which they joyfully proclaimed that the Savior was born, played out simple performances, sang Christmas songs, wished the owners well-being and health, and after that the owners gave the carolers some sweets , sausage, loaf or even money. It was believed that after sunset in the Christmas week, evil spirits crawl out into the light of day and begin to do all sorts of dirty tricks to people. And the mummers wandering between the houses were supposed to show this evil spirits that the path here was ordered.

On the eve of Christmas, the godchildren wore kutya to their godparents, sang Christmas songs to them, for which they were also awarded gifts. This was common, as they celebrated Christmas in the north of Russia, as well as in Belarus and Little Russia.

Shrovetide in Russia. From the history of Maslenitsa in Russia

Maslenitsa (until the 16th century - the pagan Komoyeditsa, according to the old pre-revolutionary spelling they wrote "Maslyanitsa") - one of the oldest holidays of the religion of the Druids (Magi).

History of Maslenitsa

First, Komoyeditsa is a great ancient Slavic pagan 2-week holiday of the solemn meeting of Spring and the beginning of the Old Slavic New Year on the Day of the vernal equinox. This day marked the transition to spring agricultural work. The celebration of Komoyeditsa began a week before the Spring Equinox and lasted a week after.

In 988, the Varangian conquerors (Rurik Prince Vladimir), in order to strengthen their then greatly shaken power over the heavily oppressed conquered tribes, fire, sword and great blood forced the Slavs subject to them to abandon their primordial gods, symbolizing the ancient Slavic ancestors, and accept faith in the God of a foreign people.

The Slavic population that survived after the mass bloody skirmishes and protests was baptized in the most cruel way (everyone, including small children, was driven by the Viking squads with spears for baptism into the rivers, and the rivers, as the chronicler reports, “reddened with blood”). Images Slavic gods burned, temples and shrines (temples) destroyed. In the baptism of the Slavs there was not even a hint of reverent Christian holiness - just another brutal act of the Vikings (Varangians), who were particularly cruel.

During baptism, many Slavs were killed, and some fled to the North, to lands not subject to the Vikings. As a result of the genocide carried out during the Christianization, the Slavic population of Russia decreased from approximately 12 million to 3 million people (this terrifying population decline is clearly evidenced by the data of the all-Russian population censuses of 980 and 999). Later, those who fled to the North were also baptized, but they never had slavery (“serfdom”).

The enslaved Slavs forever lost their roots and spiritual connection with their ancient ancestors. After the adoption of Christianity in Russia, the Magi fought for the independence of the Slavs and became participants in many uprisings against the enslaving Varangians (Vikings), supported the forces opposed to the Kyiv prince.

The last "real" magi are mentioned in the XIII-XIV centuries. in Novgorod and Pskov. By this time, paganism in Russia was practically eliminated. Together with the Magi, their ancient runic writing and their knowledge disappeared. Almost all runic records, including historical chronicles, were destroyed by Christians. The original written history of the Slavs until the 8th century became unknown. Archaeologists occasionally find only scattered fragments of inscriptions on the stones of destroyed pagan temples and on shards of pottery. Later, under the name "Magi" in Russia, only various kinds of folk healers, heretics and newly-minted warlocks were understood.

After the adoption of Christianity in Russia, the ancient pagan Slavic holiday Komoyeditsa - great holiday The sacred spring, coming on the Day of the vernal equinox (March 20 or 21) - fell on the time of the Orthodox Great Lent, when all kinds of fun festivities and games were forbidden by the Church, or even punished. After a long struggle between churchmen and pagan Slavic holiday, it was included in the Orthodox holidays under the name "cheese (meatless) week", preceding the 7 weeks of Lent.

Thus, the holiday moved closer to the beginning of the year and lost its connection with the astronomical event - the Day of the vernal equinox, the day of the arrival of the pagan sacred Spring.

This broke his sacred connection with the previously traditional among the Slavs religion of the Magi (close to the Druids), in which it is the days of the winter (the longest night of the year) and summer (the longest day of the year) solstice and spring (the day lengthens and becomes equal to the night) and autumnal (the day shortens and becomes equal to the night) equinoxes were the greatest and most sacred holidays.

Among the people, the holiday transformed in a church way was called Maslenitsa and continued to be celebrated on the same pagan scale, but on other dates tied to the day of Orthodox Easter (the beginning of Maslenitsa 8 weeks before Easter, then there is a 7-week great post before Easter).

At the beginning of the 18th century, a lover of feasts and holidays, Peter I, who was well acquainted with the cheerful European Shrovetide customs, introduced in Russia the obligatory universal celebration of the folk Maslenitsa in the traditional European manner with his royal regulations. Maslenitsa has turned into a secular holiday, accompanied by endless fun games, slides, competitions with prizes. Actually, from the time of Peter the Great, our current folk Maslenitsa appeared with merry carnival processions of mummers organized by the authorities, entertainment, booths, endless jokes and festivities.

Christmas is one of the great holidays of Christianity and belongs to the Twelve.

The Christmas service charter was finally formed in the 4th century. So, for example, if the eve of a holiday falls on a Sunday, the first rule of Theophylact of Alexandria is used to celebrate this holiday. On the eve of the holiday, instead of the usual hours, the so-called Royal Hours are read, various Old Testament prophecies and events related to the Nativity of Christ are recalled.

In the afternoon, the liturgy of Basil the Great takes place, in the case when the eve does not take place on Saturday or Sunday, when the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is served, at the usual time. The All-Night Vigil begins with the Great Vespers, at which spiritual joy over the Nativity of Christ sounds with the prophetic song “For God is with us.”

In the 5th century, Anatoly, Patriarch of Constantinople, and in the 7th century, Soffoniy and Andrew of Jerusalem, in the 8th century, John of Damascus, Kosma, Bishop of Mayum, as well as Herman, Patriarch of Constantinople, wrote church hymns for the feast of the Nativity of Christ, which are used by the current church. Also at the service, the kontakion "Today the Virgin..." written by Reverend Roman the Melodist is performed.

In order to adequately prepare for the feast of the Nativity of Christ, the Church has set a time for preparation - the Nativity Fast, which lasts from November 28 to January 6 and involves not only abstinence from food. In fasting, Christians try to spend their time piously, moving away from idleness and paying special attention to prayer and work.

In Russia, the celebration of the birth of Christ began in the 10th century. Christmas Eve - Christmas Eve. On this day, the Liturgy is combined with Vespers, which marks the beginning of the next day, because the church day begins in the evening. Consequently, after the solemn Liturgy (January 6) and Vespers connected with it, the time of the first day of Christmas comes, but fasting has not yet been canceled. At the meal, a special pre-Christmas meal is offered - “sochivo”. This is what gave the name to Christmas Eve - Christmas Eve. "Sochiv" was called in Russia grains of cereals boiled with honey: wheat, barley or rice. In addition, a fruit broth (compote) was prepared.

For the Christmas festive table, Russian housewives prepared traditional dishes: roast pig with horseradish, baked chicken, jellies and sausages, honey gingerbread. They broke the fast from Lent on January 7, after the solemn Christmas service in the church. Then came the holy evenings - Christmas time, which lasted from January 7 to 19.

At Christmas time, people went from house to house with hymns. In the villages, Christmas time was celebrated by the whole world, moving from hut to hut, but in the cities, Christmas festivities were famous for their scope. Ordinary people had fun in the squares, where booths, carousels, markets, tea houses were installed. The merchants rode in troikas.

A good tradition at Christmas and Easter was also visiting the sick, generous alms to the prisoners from their table. Christians shared their Christmas joy with the poor and needy, remembering that Christ came to earth not in royal palaces, but in simple mangers. And the poor shepherds greeted Him first.

When is Christmas in Orthodoxy?

Russian, Jerusalem, Serbian, Georgian Orthodox Churches and Athos, Polish, as well as Eastern Catholic Churches celebrate December 25 according to the Julian calendar (the so-called "old style"), which corresponds to January 7 of the modern Gregorian calendar.

Holy Trinity Day is one of the most important holidays for every Orthodox believer. It is filled with a deep sacred meaning: the events of the gospel history, remembered on this day, played an important role in the development of the Christian religion.

Trinity is a transitional holiday: it is celebrated annually on the fiftieth day after the Bright Christ's Resurrection, which is why this event is also called Pentecost. At this time, the prophecy of Christ, which he gave to his disciples before the Ascension to heaven, was fulfilled.

The history and meaning of the feast of the Holy Trinity

According to the New Testament, before the ascension to Heaven, Christ repeatedly appeared to the apostles, instructing them in order to prepare them for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them. This happened ten days after the Ascension. The apostles, who were in the room where they had their last meal with the Savior - the Last Supper - suddenly heard an inexplicable noise from heaven, like the noise of the wind. The sound filled the whole room, and after that fire was revealed to them: it split into separate flames, and each of the apostles perceived it. From that moment on, the disciples of the Savior got the opportunity to speak all the languages of the world in order to bring the light of Christian teaching to all peoples. For this reason, the day of the Holy Trinity is also revered as the day of the founding of the church.

In honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit, the holiday got its name: this event marked the trinity of God. The three hypostases of the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit - exist in unity, creating the world and sanctifying it with Divine grace.

The holiday was established at the end of the fourth century after the adoption of the dogma of the Divine Trinity. In Russia, the celebration was approved three centuries after the Epiphany. Over time, the Day of the Holy Trinity has become one of the most beloved and revered holidays among the people: in addition to church institutions, many folk traditions and customs that have become an integral part of this day.

Trinity Celebration

On the day of the Holy Trinity, a solemn festive service is held in the churches, distinguished by extraordinary pomp and beauty. According to the canon, priests conduct services in green robes: this shade symbolizes the life-giving, creative power of the Holy Trinity. For the same reason, birch branches are considered one of the main symbols of the holiday - they traditionally decorate temples and houses - and freshly cut grass, which is used to line the floor in churches. There was a belief that a bunch of branches used as church decoration could become an excellent amulet and protect the house from adversity, so they were often taken with them and kept throughout the year.

It was believed that the herbs on the day of the Holy Trinity are endowed with special power, so they were engaged in collecting medicinal plants at this time. There was even a custom to drop tears on a bunch of grass, putting a candle in honor of the holiday - so that summer would not bring drought, and the soil would be fertile and delight with its gifts.

On the day of the Holy Trinity, it is customary to pray for the forgiveness of sins, as well as for the salvation of the souls of all the dead - including those who died an unnatural death. Prayers are read during the church service, and the faithful accompany them with prostrations, which are again allowed after the end of the series of Easter services. If it is not possible to visit the temple, you can pray at home in front of the icon: on the day of the Holy Trinity, any sincere words will certainly be heard.

Having correctly met this important holiday for all Christians, you can change your life for the better. May your every day be filled with joy. We wish you well-being and strong faith, and do not forget to press the buttons and

When is Christmas celebrated from 6 to 7?

When is Christmas celebrated? Christmas is one of the main Christian holidays, established in honor of the birth in the flesh (incarnation) of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on the night of December 24-25 - among Catholics. On the night of January 6-7 - at the Orthodox.

Christmas in Russia, as celebrated. How was Christmas celebrated in Russia?

Christmas is one of the main annual Christian holidays. Traditions and customs to celebrate this great day are passed down from generation to generation and are an integral part of the original culture of each country. Christmas in Russia began to be celebrated in the 10th century. The day and night before Christmas, Christmas Eve, were celebrated modestly and calmly, and the following days were cheerful and provocative in Russian.

On Christmas Eve it was necessary to properly prepare for the holiday. In the early morning, villagers went to fetch water, which on that day became healing: they washed themselves with it and kneaded dough for Christmas bread on it. In the morning the hostess began to kindle the stove. Before Christmas, this was done in a special way. According to the customs of the ancestors, fire was produced by striking a spark, and flint and flint for 12 days before that lay under the images. The hostess was baptized three times and, turning to the rising sun, made a fire, set fire to a rod from it, and only after that melted the stove, in which there were 12 specially selected logs.

On this fire, 12 Lenten dishes were prepared, among which the obligatory ones were uzvar - a drink made from dried fruits and honey, and kutya - porridge made from wheat and barley. Kutia with honey was called "sochivom", hence the "Christmas Eve" originated. By the way, the ashes from the Christmas fire were used in various magical rites. At first, adults treated domestic animals with kutya and uzvar, while children made sounds reminiscent of their voices so that nothing bad would happen to them in the new year.

At home, it was necessary to build a symbol of the harvest - a kind of altar from a sheaf of rye and peasant tools. Bringing a sheaf into the house, the owner took off his hat and greeted the hostess, as if seeing her for the first time: “God bless you!” And the hostess had to answer: “God help! What are you carrying?" Here the man said: "Gold, so that we live richly all year," he stopped in the middle of the hut, was baptized and wished the family happiness, health and longevity. After that, the sheaf was placed under the icons, tied with an iron chain, and a plowshare and a collar were placed next to it. The hostess took out a clean white tablecloth and covered the whole structure with it.

Our distant relatives did not forget about the rite of strengthening health. The head of the family scattered straw on the floor, threw hay on the table, and made a small sheaf of hay, which he placed under the table. At the top of the stack was placed a shard in which incense was smoked. Iron tools were laid out around him. All those present had to touch them in turn with their bare feet, so that health would be as strong as iron.

The first to sit at the table was the father, followed by the mother, and the children in order of seniority. The owner, taking a spoonful of kutya, read a prayer for the deceased relatives. It was believed that their souls come to earth on this day and see everything. Therefore, especially for them, they also set plates with refreshments. During dinner, no one except the hostess was allowed to get up, and it was necessary to talk quietly and calmly.

Now the festive table abounded with all sorts of goodies: traditionally cooked jelly, suckling pig, fried chicken, pork head with horseradish, sausage and honey gingerbread.

Even at Christmas they liked to arrange various parties, conversations, went to visit each other, and, of course, they could not do without fortune-telling.

Merry Christmas to you!

Christmas is not only signs and customs that have been preserved since Old Slavonic times, but also symbols, because few people know why it is customary to decorate a Christmas tree and give gifts.

The main attribute of the holiday is, of course, the Christmas tree, however, such a tradition was not born immediately. The Germans were the first to decorate the Christmas tree. According to legend, the burgher reformer Martin Luther once walked along the street on Christmas Eve and admired the starry sky. There were so many stars in the sky that it seemed to Luther as if little lights were stuck in the tops of the trees.

He returned home and decorated a small Christmas tree with candles and apples, and placed the Star of Bethlehem on top. But, in Russia, they began to decorate the Christmas tree in 1699 by decree of Peter I. The tsar also issued a decree on the transition to a new countdown, which began from the date of the birth of Christ.

How was Christmas celebrated in Russia?

Our ancestors received the Christmas service in the 10th century almost ready-made from Constantinople. Around the end of the 12th century, the holiday began to be preceded by a forty-day fast, which is sometimes also called "Philip's Fast", because it begins on November 28 - immediately after the celebration of the memory of the Apostle Philip.

It was the custom of ancient Christians to strictly fast on the eve of great holidays in order to feel the greatness of the holiday, before which even the most natural human needs for food must recede. Such a strict one-day fast is preserved to this day on the eve of the holidays of Christmas and Epiphany and is called the Eve or Christmas Eve from the custom of eating juicy boiled wheat with honey in the evening of that day (after the first star).

Why exactly after the first star? There is no mystical meaning to be found here. It’s just that the first star appears in the sky with the onset of darkness, that is, Christians spend the whole day in strict fasting, and you can only taste juicy in the evening. But of course, on the eve of Christmas, I want even the smallest church establishments to remind us of the upcoming celebration. That's why they talk about the star.

From Christmas to Epiphany, special days of spiritual celebration follow, which in Russia are called Christmastide. The pagan Slavs at this time also had sunny holiday. It began at the end of December and lasted until the first days of January. These were the days of the “salt turn”, when “the sun turns to summer, and winter to frost. The sun dresses up in a sunny sundress, a kokoshnik, gets into a cart and goes to warm countries, ”our distant ancestors said so. Winter is becoming fierce, but its end is already visible, so you need to have fun. Winter came "karachun" - this is the day of the solstice, that is, the shortest day. On the other hand, "Karachun" among the Slavs is an evil spirit that kills life.

Apparently, the ancient pagan Slavs reasoned like this: the sun had just been born, which means it is weak and winter can “set him a karachun”. Therefore, the sun appears to people not in its usual form, but in a mask, dressed up. This is where masquerades begin. You can have fun with all your heart, but put on a mask so that the evil spirit does not recognize you and harm you. In addition, these days among the pagans were associated with many rituals, games, signs, fortune-telling, basically having one desire - to start with the blessing of the gods. new life full of joy, happiness and contentment. Of course, young people had an advantage here - they have a future ahead of them. Therefore, young people were given the first place at Christmas time. The older generation could only be a "moral support group".

The common name for this fun is caroling. Nikolai Karamzin believed that Kolyada among the Slavs was the god of feasts and peace. Dahl's dictionary says that this word comes from the Latin calendae (January 1 - 6). Some researchers believe that the carol comes from the Sanskrit "Kala" - to convene.

In the tenth century Russia was baptized.

How to deal with pagan holidays? In Western Europe, in this sense, it was simpler: the Church turned to state power, and that force suppressed the remnants of paganism. In Russia it was different. The church itself fought against paganism and by no means by force. In what way? She tried to fill the old form with new content.

Speaking about the difference between the worldview of the East and the West, Vasily Rozanov very accurately noted that in the West the means of salvation used by the Church in relation to people who, in her opinion, are mistaken, are causal in nature, driving away from error. In the East, however, it is an expedient character, attracting to the truth. That is why the Church has never put pressure on the consciousness of people with external force and has not canceled Christmas time. But on the basis of the old, new traditions appeared. For example, carols have become a rite of passage from house to house on holy days of the so-called “glorifiers or “christoslavs” with a nativity scene and a star. They sang songs dedicated to the Nativity of Christ.

Kolyada came
On the eve of Christmas.
We walked
we searched
Holy carol…
Found Kolyada
At Petrov's yard...

This was followed by the glorification of "Peter's Dvor", to which the glorifiers came. For this they received a generous meal from Peter. Of course, on the one hand, there is a very thin line between Christian and pagan carols, which you can imperceptibly cross and begin to glorify not Christ at all, but a different spiritual reality ... And the Russian Church paid attention to this. For example, there are corresponding warnings in the decisions of the Stoglavy Council of 1551 and in a special letter of tsar Alexei Mikhailovich of 1649: “it was known to have done it,” as throughout Moscow “at Compline of the Nativity of Christ, many people call Kolyada and Usen, and the demonic players are buffoons with domras and with duds, with bears go; the women bake every kind of animal, animal and bird… Then they make dancing and singing.” The king forbids all this, as "very sinful." Stoglav reproaches Christians that “in cities and villages they create Hellenic (that is, pagan. - R.M.) demons, games, dancing against the feast of the Nativity of Christ and at night, glorifying Kolyada ... ".

But on the other hand, if people do not cross this line, if they rejoice at the birth of Christ and glorify Him, how can the Church forbid this? On the contrary, following the words of the Apostle Paul, “always rejoice,” she will rejoice on holy days with those who have found Christ. Another thing is that there are different levels of joy and its expression. And the deeper the joy, the quieter it is, the more a person cares about not losing it.

As for divination, the Church has repeatedly spoken out against this pagan tradition, although there is a strong opinion that the Church blesses divination at Christmas time. Of course, on New Year's days, a person wants to look into his future, I want to know "what the coming day has in store for us." But it is no accident that Christians express their religious outlook not the word "knowledge", but the word "faith". It assumes that a person is always free in his spiritual life. And fortune-telling violates freedom, because people try to take by the collar spiritual world and shake out the necessary information from it, make it a subject of knowledge, not faith. A person becomes addicted to what he sees in the starry sky or in the coffee grounds. And there is no longer room for a free decision. But God is only where there is freedom. This was expressed in the fact that He was not born in the Roman imperial palace, not in the chambers of King Herod, and not even in the house of the Jewish High Priest. He was born in a cave where animals are hidden in bad weather. His Christmas was not accompanied by thunder and lightning. God has given the human heart freedom to believe.

Dmitry Kostromin

The holiday of the bright day of the Nativity of Christ returned to Russia and since 1991 has become a "real" holiday - by the Decree of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR, the day of January 7 was declared a day off. The holiday itself is surprisingly "childish", perhaps even the most "childish" of all Orthodox holidays. See how children perceive Christmas! And all of us on this day and on the eve of it are a little children. It is clear that the long persecution of Christianity in the USSR led to the oblivion of many traditions and ritual ceremonies...

Why is Christmas celebrated on January 7th in Orthodoxy? How do people celebrate Christmas in Russia? Divine Liturgy at Christmas. Food for Christmas.

Our city sweeps with powder,

Christmas is coming again...

We wish you only the best,

What you can wish your friends.

A bit of history

Christmas is one of big holidays Christianity and refers to the twelve great twelfth holidays. In the Eastern Church, the feast of the Nativity of Christ is considered the second feast after Easter. And in the Western church, in some denominations, this holiday is revered even higher than Easter. This is because the Nativity of Christ symbolizes the possibility of salvation that opens up for people with the coming into the world of Jesus Christ. In Eastern countries, Easter symbolizes the spiritual resurrection of a person, which is honored more than the Nativity of Christ.

The rules for celebrating the Nativity of Christ were finally formed in the 4th century. So, for example, if the eve of a holiday falls on a Sunday, the first rule of Theophylact of Alexandria is used to celebrate this holiday. On the eve of the holiday, instead of the usual hours, the so-called Royal Hours are read, various Old Testament prophecies and events related to the Nativity of Christ are recalled. In the afternoon, the liturgy of Basil the Great takes place, in the case when the eve does not take place on Saturday or Sunday, when the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is served, at the usual time. The All-Night Vigil begins with Great Compline, at which spiritual joy over the Nativity of Christ is expressed with the prophetic song "For God is with us."

However, the beautiful and solemn feast of the Nativity of Christ is celebrated in different countries not the same, but bears the imprint of the customs and traditions of a certain people. So, for example, in Catholicism, the Nativity of Christ is celebrated magnificently and solemnly with three services: at midnight, at dawn and in the afternoon. Such a construction of the holiday symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ in the bosom of the Father, in the womb of the Mother of God and in the soul of a believer. Since the time of Francis of Assisi in Catholic churches a manger with a figurine of the Infant Christ is set up so that believers can worship the image of the newborn Jesus Christ. A nativity scene (that is, a cave where Jesus Christ was born) with figures of the Holy Family is also being built in Orthodox churches.

Both in Catholicism and in Orthodoxy, during the Christmas sermon, the idea is especially emphasized that with the birth of Jesus Christ (which symbolizes the coming of the Messiah into the world), the opportunity opens up for every believer to achieve the salvation of the soul and, through the fulfillment of the teachings of Christ, receive eternal life and heavenly bliss. Among the people, the holiday of the Nativity of Christ was accompanied by folk festivals, songs and games, gatherings and caroling, Christmas fun.

*Christmas in Russia*

Nativity of Christ - "the second Easter"; a great holiday, a holy day, honored more than all other days of the year - after the day of the Holy Resurrection of Christ.

The night sky over Bethlehem twinkles with stars... And we, together with the shepherds, hear angelic singing, see the angel-bringer and rejoice at the birth of the miraculous Otrochati. But our joy is not violent, like the rejoicing of the pagans. She is quiet, Christian. We know that suffering and death await this Child. He, innocent, will be unjustly condemned, and those for whose sake He came into the world will shout to Pilate: "Crucify! Crucify Him!" Therefore, the joy of the coming of God is colored with sadness. But we also know that He came for the Resurrection, in order to deliver us from death and defeat evil. And again, peace of mind.

Gregorian and Julian or New Year and "Old" New Year

Merry Christmas, I congratulate you!

Happiness and health, I wish you all the best,

Holiness, deceit - in moderation so that everything,

Joy, good luck. Bad - nothing!

And for Orthodox Christians in Russia, Georgia, the Holy Land, as well as for some other churches of the Eastern rite, the day traditionally considered the birthday of Jesus will come later.

The temporary inconsistency in the celebration of Christmas by various churches is due to the fact that most countries in Europe and the USA celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar - December 25, and Russia - according to the Julian calendar, on January 7 (i.e. December 25 according to the Gregorian calendar coincides with January 7 according to the old style).

In the Julian calendar, the average duration of the year in the interval of 4 years was 365.25 days, which is 11 min 14 s longer than the tropical year.

The length of the year in the Gregorian calendar is on average 365.2425 days, which is only 26 seconds longer than the tropical year.

The difference between the old and new styles in 1582 (the year it was introduced in Europe by Pope Gregory) was 10 days, in the 18th century - 11 days, in the 19th century - 12 days, and in 20 respectively - 13 days.

In our country, the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1918, but the Russian Orthodox Church continues to use the Julian calendar to this day, explaining the reluctance to switch to a new style by the fact that then the structure of the church year will be violated.

How did Russia celebrate Christmas?

And Christmas is like a magician, a wizard,

Like a precious talisman.

Health, vivacity and fun,

And let happiness give you.

In Russia, Christmas began to be celebrated in the 10th century. It has long been a quiet and peaceful holiday. Christmas Eve - Christmas Eve - was celebrated modestly both in the palaces of Russian emperors and in the huts of peasants. But the next day, fun and revelry began - Christmas time.

They went from house to house with songs, arranged round dances and dances, dressed up as bears, pigs and various evil spirits, frightened children and girls, guessed. For greater persuasiveness, scary masks were made from various materials. By the way, from the 16th century, the Christmas masks began to be officially called mugs and mugs.

Ordinary people had fun in the squares, where booths, carousels, markets, tea and vodka tents were set up. Richer people stayed up late in restaurants and taverns. The merchants rode in troikas. Noble nobles arranged balls. In the villages, Christmas time was celebrated by the whole world, moving from hut to hut.

Muscovites at Christmas went for a walk in Petrovsky Park. Marina Grove, Ostankino, Sokolniki.

Russian sovereigns also celebrated Christmas noisily.

Peter the Great used to make fun of Christmas games. In the royal chambers, everyone dressed up, sang songs, guessed. The sovereign himself with a large retinue traveled around the houses of noble nobles and boyars. At the same time, everyone had to zealously have fun - whoever had a "sour face" was beaten by batogs.

Elizaveta Petrovna celebrated Christmas time according to old Russian customs. The courtiers were supposed to appear at the court in costume, but without masks. The empress herself dressed up, and the empress was very fond of singing Christmas songs with the girls.

Catherine the Great respected folk fun and entertainment and often took part in them. In the Hermitage they played blind man's buff, forfeits, cat and mouse, sang songs, and the Empress famously danced with the peasants.

Divine Liturgy at Christmas

In the 5th century, Anatoly, Patriarch of Constantinople, and in the 7th century, Soffoniy and Andrew of Jerusalem, in the 8th century, John of Damascus, Kozma Mayumsky, and Herman, Patriarch of Constantinople for the feast of the Nativity of Christ wrote church hymns, which are used by the current church. And also the Christmas kontakion "Today the Virgin..." written by Reverend Roman the Melodist is performed.

Christ is born - praise!

Christ from heaven - hide!

Christ on earth - ascend,

Sing to the Lord all the earth,

And sing with joy, people,

Get famous!

The service of the Divine Liturgy is performed in the church. In the middle of the temple, where the festive icon is usually exhibited, there is a cave made of spruce twigs, strewn with stars. Little brothers, witnesses of Christmas are not forgotten: a cow and a calf. They also participate in the celebration. Maybe in order to better approach the great mystery? And for this, according to Christ, one must become like children.

The holiday itself is surprisingly "childish", perhaps even the most "childish" of all Orthodox holidays. See how children perceive Christmas! And all of us on this day and on the eve of it are a little children. Together we decorate the Christmas tree - and how much joy everyone has!

In order to adequately prepare for the feast of the Nativity of Christ, the Church has set a time for preparation - the Nativity Fast. During the entire fast, one should refrain from entertainment, wasting time on pleasure, from idleness - after all, the real holiday is ahead.

An increasing place in daily worship is occupied by hymns telling about Christmas events, fasting is becoming more and more strict. The last week before Christmas is inspired by Holy Week. And the touching, poignant tunes of the Passionate are the basis of pre-Christmas songs.

Christmas Eve - Christmas Eve... Expectation has reached its climax. On this day, the Liturgy is combined with Vespers, which marks the beginning of the next day, because the church day begins in the evening. Consequently, after the solemn Liturgy and Vespers connected with it, the time comes for the first day of Christmas. But the post has not yet been cancelled. In the food we are offered a special pre-Christmas meal - "sochivo". This is what gave the name to Christmas Eve - Christmas Eve. "Sochiv" was called in Russia grains of wheat boiled with honey. And it's not just a custom. Like everything that is consecrated by church tradition, the Christmas Eve meal has its own deep symbolic meaning. We commemorate Christ the God-Man with our words, like the Magi, seeing in His Nativity the earthly feat, death and Resurrection. After all, grain is the gospel image of death and resurrection: "... if a grain of wheat that falls on the earth does not die, then it remains alone, if it dies, it will bring forth much fruit ...". In His death is the guarantee of His Resurrection and our resurrection.