The day of intensive preparation for the holiday of the Nativity of Christ is considered to be Christmas Eve - the eve of the great holiday, which occurs on January 7 for Orthodox Christians.

According to strict rules, believers are advised to refuse food until the first star. Only when the first star appears - the symbol of the Star of Bethlehem - can you taste sochivo (a Lenten dish, which is most often prepared from wheat or rice with honey and fruit). Hence the name of this day - Christmas Eve.

40-day Nativity fast, intense prayer brought closer Orthodox people to the great celebration. However, the ancient Christians did not know it; for them, the Resurrection of Christ overshadowed Christmas. At the end of the 3rd - beginning of the 4th centuries, Christians began to celebrate Christmas and the Baptism of the Savior on the same day - January 6 according to the Julian calendar. By the way, this tradition is preserved by the Armenian apostolic church. And only in the middle of the 4th century the holiday of Christmas was separated from Epiphany and began to be celebrated by the Roman Church on December 25 according to the Julian calendar.

It was on this night before Christmas, folk beliefs, two forces dominate: good and evil. Whichever person he joined, she worked miracles with him. One invited people to sing carols and glorify the birth of Christ at the festive table, and the other gathered witches for the Sabbath. In the evening, a carol (wicket) - disguised guys in torn fur coats and with animal masks on their faces - went from house to house in the villages. They honored the owners without sparing generous words. Signs: “If the weather is snowy on Christmas Eve, there will be a harvest for bread.” It was believed that on this day, the last before Christmas, snowfall - sure sign prosperity of the economy in the new year. And if there is frost on this day, there will be advice and love in the family. Of course, these signs and prejudices are just an “echo” of pagan celebrations and traditions that have nothing to do with the essence of the great Christian holiday.

“The holiday of the Nativity of Christ is one of the days when we experience our meeting with God with the greatest depth and joy. Before this solemn and wondrous day, the world and God were separated by sin, and man, no matter how eager he was to meet God, could not achieve it on his own, without Him. And God, in His immeasurable love, in His mercy, became man. He crossed the line that separated fallen man from eternal life and eternal joy,” Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh said in one of his sermons. On Christmas Eve, Christmastide begins - two weeks of winter holidays that continue until Epiphany, which is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on January 19.

January 7 – Christmas is the second most important holiday after Easter.

Together with the Russian Orthodox Church, Christmas is celebrated on the night of January 6-7 by the Jerusalem, Serbian and Georgian Orthodox churches, as well as Mount Athos monasteries, Eastern Rite Catholics (in particular, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) and some Protestants living according to the Julian calendar. All the other 11 Local Orthodox Churches of the world celebrate the Nativity of Christ, like Catholics, on the night of December 24-25, since they use the so-called “New Julian” calendar, which so far coincides with the Gregorian calendar used by Catholics.

According to the Gospel tradition, when the Roman emperor Augustus, who ruled Judea, announced a population census and everyone had to register exactly where they were from, righteous Joseph went with his betrothed Holy Virgin Maria in your hometown Bethlehem.

It wasn't at the hotel free seats, so Joseph and Mary found shelter in a cave where they drove domestic animals (in ancient Slavic - nativity scene). The Savior was born in this den. The Mother of God placed the baby in a manger.

The first to come to worship the incarnate God were the shepherds, notified by the Angel. Following them came the Magi (eastern pagan sages), who learned about the miracle that had happened when an unusual star appeared in the sky. This star led the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus and is therefore called the Star of Bethlehem.

The holiday of Christmas, according to the teachings of the Church, symbolizes the reconciliation of man with God. Christmas foreshadows the redemptive feat of Christ and the renewal of human nature, struck by the fall of our ancestors.
The holiday is preceded by a multi-day Nativity fast, which begins on November 28 and lasts 40 days until January 6 inclusive.

After the festive night service on January 7, Orthodox Christians congratulate each other on the bright holiday of the Nativity of Christ and break their fast (break their fast).

On this day, lavish feasts were traditionally held in Rus'. Children went from house to house with a “nativity scene” - a small box covered with colored paper, in which scenes based on the Gospel story about the Birth of Christ were acted out using dolls mounted on an axis. For this performance, accompanied by singing, the children received gifts. In some places, particularly in Ukraine, this custom continues to this day.

At Christmas, houses and churches are decorated with fir trees and coniferous branches, symbolizing eternal life, and the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree is associated with the image of the tree of paradise, replete with fruits.

Festive services in churches on January 7 continue until late in the evening.

Among the peoples of Europe, the days of Christmas celebrations coincided with the twelve-day cycle of pagan festivals dedicated to the winter solstice, which marked the beginning of a new life and the renewal of nature (saturnalia among Romanesque peoples, winter Christmastide among Russians, carols among Ukrainians, etc.). Therefore in different countries The Christmas holiday absorbed many of the rituals and customs of these celebrations. These include carols - costumed processions with a star and chants, an evening meal on Christmas Eve, consisting of 12 Lenten dishes. Ukraine

In Ukraine, Christmas celebrations begin on Holy Evening – January 6th. The evening meal on the eve of Christmas is accompanied by many traditions and rituals. On the eve of Christmas, the church prescribed strict fasting - believers were not allowed to eat or drink for the entire pre-Christmas day. Dinner on Holy Evening was their first meal on this day - it ended the 40-day pre-Christmas fast. One could sit down at the table with the appearance of the first star in the sky, in memory of Star of Bethlehem which announced to the shepherds the birth of Christ.

The main dishes for the Ukrainian Holy Evening are “kutya” – wheat or rice porridge with honey, poppy seeds and raisins, and “uzvar” – dried fruit compote. In total, there should be 12 Lenten dishes on the table on Holy Evening, among which in the old days they prepared Lenten borscht with mushrooms, peas, cabbage soup, fish dishes, dumplings with cabbage, buckwheat porridge, cabbage rolls with rice, lean pancakes, mushrooms, pies.

On the first day of Christmas - January 7, there were almost no visitors. Only married children (with a daughter-in-law or son-in-law) were supposed to visit their parents after dinner; they said that they were bringing “grandfather dinner.” For a long time in Ukraine, people used to sing carols at Christmas. Carols - majestic ritual songs of the winter cycle - are also popular in modern Ukraine.

Christmas fortune-telling is also common among young people. In Ukraine, it is believed that it is on “holy” days that one can most accurately predict the future. Therefore, girls take advantage of the moment and try to predict their fate.

In Belarus, as in Ukraine, Orthodox Christmas is celebrated as a public holiday. Christmas Eve or the Eve of the Nativity of Christ is celebrated on January 6. The name “Christmas Eve” comes from the special food prescribed for this day by the church charter - sochiva: soaked and boiled grains of wheat or rice, often with honey, as well as beans, peas and vegetables.

According to tradition, Christmas Eve dinner is a lavish but Lenten meal, consisting of 12 courses in honor of the twelve apostles. On this day, upon arriving from the temple after the morning service, believers abstain from eating until the first star appears in the sky, which symbolizes the star that rose over Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Christ.

On the night of January 6-7 Orthodox churches Christmas services are held. Traditionally, since pre-Christian times in Belarus, January 6-7 - First Kolyada - the end of the six-day fast, the beginning holidays and evenings. This holiday is known to everyone under the name “Big Kutia”, which was celebrated in honor of winter solstice(December 24, old style).

The second Kutya (Generous or Rich Kutya) was celebrated a week later in anticipation of the New Year on December 31, old style. The third Kutya ended the Kolyada holidays on January 6th according to the old style.

In Armenia, Christmas is celebrated on January 6, and the Baptism of Christ is celebrated on the same day. Preparations for Christmas begin on the evening of January 5, when the Liturgy of Christmas Eve is served. On this day, believers light a candle in church and take it home to illuminate the house and prepare for the holiday of the Nativity of Christ. The next day, January 6, the Christmas liturgy is served in the morning. Next, the feast of the baptism of Christ is celebrated with the ceremony of blessing the water.
Traditionally, rice pilaf with raisins, fish and red wine are served on the table at Christmas in Armenia.

In Georgia, on Christmas, believers perform procession“Alilo” in accordance with a tradition that has a long history. The main characters of the festive procession are the “bearers of the good news.” They are dressed in white clothes and sing chants to notify all passers-by about the birth of the Savior. Serbia and Montenegro

In Serbia and Montenegro, Christmas Eve, January 6, is called "Badnidan". Among religious holidays, it takes an honorable second place after Easter, but among family holidays, Christmas comes first for Serbs. Christmas in Montenegro (the so-called Bozic) is a holiday for parents and children.

On this day, before sunrise, the head of the family and his eldest son announce with a shot from a gun in front of the house that they are going into the forest for “badnyak.” Badnyak is a log of felled young oak, which everyone should have in their home during the Christmas holidays. Serbian family. The log is chosen of such a size and weight that the head of the family can carry it into the house on his shoulders. According to tradition, it should burn in the family hearth during all three days of the holiday.
At dawn, the remaining family members in the house light a fire and begin to spit-roast a specially fattened pig for Christmas, the “pechenitsa”; the women prepare Christmas pie, cakes and other dishes.

The night before Christmas, dinner should be lean. At dawn, church bells ring, people put on festive clothes and go to church for the Christmas liturgy. After the service, prosphora is taken to the house. Everyone greets each other with the words: “Christ is born!”, and in response they hear: “Truly born!” This greeting is observed until the feast of Epiphany (January 19).

All family members are treated to hot brandy and dry fruit in anticipation of Christmas dinner. Then the owner brings the liver to the table. The baker should bring health and well-being to the house. The dishes are served to the table sauerkraut, stewed cabbage with smoked pork, pie with kajmak, “prebranac” - boiled beans with vegetable oil and onions, etc.

The highlight of the Christmas celebration is the breaking of “pogača” - a homemade Christmas flat cake made from unleavened dough. The housewife kneads the dough for the pie in the morning and puts a gold or silver coin in it.
The owner cuts off left side liver, takes the heart out of it and distributes it piece by piece to all family members, who immediately eat it. Before the start of dinner, the owner of the house lights a candle that stands on the table, or a censer, and surrounds the icons and everyone present with them, and the children carry the censer throughout the house. Then everyone sings the festive troparion or “Our Father.”

Then it’s time to break the pogača. It is first turned in a circle, then a cut is made in the shape of a cross and wine is poured into the resulting cut, only after that it breaks. Everyone gets a piece of the pie, and the one in whose piece there is a coin will, it is believed, be happy for a whole year.

In cities where there are no open hearths, ovens or badnyaks, small “bouquets” of oak branches tied with a bunch of straw are sold in markets and on the streets before the holiday.

In Albania, a significant percentage of the population in the country professes the Orthodox type of Christianity, so Christmas is celebrated quite widely. All the attributes characteristic of a holiday are present - a Christmas tree, gifts, feasts. The holiday is celebrated on January 7th. Greece

Greek Christmas (Christougenna) also absorbed popular superstitions and popular beliefs. Carols are common on Christmas Eve. Greek children go from house to house and sing songs heralding the coming of the Savior.

Christmas in Greece is celebrated with family, the main part of the holiday is a hearty meal. By Orthodox tradition The Christmas holiday is preceded by a fast lasting several weeks.

Greece is one of the few countries where evil Christmas spirits exist. According to legend, kallikantsaros, evil-looking elves, bring chaos to the house for 12 days after Christmas. Protection from spirits is provided by burning incense or a small offering. Also in many families, a small wooden cross is decorated with basil and dipped into a flat bowl of water. According to legend, the water becomes holy after this procedure, and then it is sprinkled in the corners of the house to scare away evil spirits.

Christmas holidays can safely be called the most beloved and fun ones. Both adults and children look forward to them. And all because many beautiful rituals and traditions are associated with these holidays.

New Year and Christmas holidays

Winter festivities begin with a meeting on the night of December 31 to January 1 New Year. The Christmas tree is decorated and a rich meal is prepared. Often, the celebration can take place outside the home, for example, in a restaurant or cafe. This is followed by Christmas and Epiphany, between which it is customary for people to celebrate the so-called old New Year(New Year's Eve according to the old calendar) or Generous Evening (in some regions - Melanku). And if the New Year's Eve is rather a social event, then Christmas is a purely home holiday with deep Orthodox roots. Therefore, a little about the history of the Christmas holidays. These holidays are dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ, his baptism in the waters of the Jordan River and the worship of the Magi. Between Christmas and Epiphany Christian Church(as early as 451) 12 holy days were established. That's why this period is called Christmastide. According to church canons, fasting was observed until Christmas; it was forbidden to sing, have fun, or perform various rituals. But among the people these dogmas were never strictly observed. Many have been and are still doing Yuletide fortune-telling, and when celebrating the New Year we set a rich table. But, nevertheless, some traditions of the Christmas holidays have been preserved and observed to this day. So, on the evening of Christmas Eve ( 6th January), on the so-called Christmas Eve, the table is set for a family dinner. A snow-white tablecloth is laid on the table, under which hay is placed (the memory of the fact that Jesus was born in a manger). 12 Lenten dishes are served on the table (according to the number of the first apostles), among which there must be kutia (Sochivo - hence the name Christmas Eve). Meat dishes are allowed to be eaten on Christmas Day itself ( Jan. 7) after the morning liturgy. The meal begins after the first star rises (in memory of the Star of Bethlehem, which announced to the Magi about the birth of Christ). Well, and, of course, before the first star rises (before the family dinner starts) they go caroling.

On Melanka (meeting the old New Year) a rich (generous) feast is also arranged, and on the night from 13 to 14 January they go to give generously - that’s why the evening is called Generous. On ( January 19) it is customary to plunge into an ice hole (Jordan), carved in the shape of a cross, or to stock up blessed water in the temple.

It is clear that in modern conditions there is no strict adherence to all dogmas. But, if the question arises about how to spend the Christmas holidays, remember about folk traditions.

Nativity
(celebration traditions)

Day Nativity of Christ Since ancient times, the Church has ranked it among the great twelve feasts. The Gospel depicts this greatest, most joyful and wonderful event: “ I proclaim to you , - says the Angel to the Bethlehem shepherds, - great joy that will be for all people: for today a Savior has been born to you in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord; and here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly a large army of heaven appeared with the Angel, praising God and crying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. !»

On this day, a great event took place for the entire Christian world - the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem (Jesus in Hebrew means “salvation”). All Christians are convinced that Jesus Christ was sent by God to earth to atone for sins and save humanity. The Old Testament prophets predicted the place and time of birth of the Savior of the world - 5508 from the creation of the world. So, January 7 (December 25, old style) is the birthday of the Son of God on earth. From this day the countdown begins. According to the legend of the Gospel, the mother of Jesus Christ Mary and her husband Joseph lived in Nazareth, and came to Bethlehem, fulfilling the order of the ruler Augustus to appear for the entire population for the census. Since so many people had gathered for the census of the Roman Empire, Mary and Joseph could not find a place to stay for the night, and therefore they had to seek refuge in a small cave, where, due to bad weather usually the shepherds were hiding. There Mary gave birth to the Son of God. Then an angel descended from heaven and told the shepherds, who were awake at that moment, that God had been born. The shepherds were the first to come to worship the baby. Shined in the sky Star of Bethlehem. Focusing on her, three wise men (magi) came to the cave with Mary and Jesus Christ and brought gifts to God: gold, incense and myrrh. Gold symbolized royal power, incense - the will of God, myrrh - the fate of the prophet. By the way, it was from those ancient times that the tradition came to make the Star of Bethlehem and decorate the New Year tree with it.

The tradition of celebrating this event as a holiday appeared much later. One of the first mentions of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ dates back to the fourth century. Based on historical data, scientists have concluded that Jesus was not born in winter time, and the date December 25 was chosen due to the fact that, starting from this moment, daylight hours increase. Among the pagans, this day was called the holiday “Birth of the Invincible Sun”, and after the adoption of Christianity in Rome it became the birthday of Christ - “Birth of the Sun of Truth”. There are also several other theories, each of which explains in its own way the choice of this particular day to celebrate the birth of the son of God.

Emperor Aurelian introduced the official cult of the Invincible Sun, establishing the sun god as the main deity of the empire. On a silver-plated bronze coin of Roman mintage (274-275) Aurelian wearing his sunburst crown

Jerusalem, Russian, Ukrainian, Georgian, Serbian Orthodox Churches, as well as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, celebrate the Feast of Christmas on January 7 according to the new style (which corresponds to December 25 according to the old Julian calendar, which these Churches adhere to). This holiday comes to people on a frosty night at the hour of the midnight temple service in the glow of candles, in the light of the stars and the loud singing of the choir. The sounds of children's voices praising God, like an angelic voice, fill the Universe with triumph. Heaven and earth glorify the Nativity of Christ. Peace reigns on earth, at least for a short time, and hearts are filled with good will. Within the pre-celebration and post-celebration period, the Feast of the Nativity of Christ lasts twelve days. On the last day before the holiday, the eve of the Nativity of Christ (Christmas Eve) is celebrated, indicating the special importance of the upcoming celebration, for eve of the Nativity occurs only before the most important holidays. In the Orthodox Church, in the evening hours, called the Royal Hours, are celebrated, because for a long time kings were present at this service, worshiping the newborn King of kings. According to a tradition dating back to pagan times, on Christmas Eve it is forbidden to eat food until the first star. That is why the celebration of the Nativity of Christ begins with the rising of the evening dawn, which, according to legend, announced to the whole world about the time of the birth of the Son of God. The very day of the Nativity of Christ in the flesh, as the most important and solemn. On this day, according to the voice of the Church, " all kinds of joy are filled. The angels in heaven rejoice, and men rejoice: all creation plays for the sake of the Savior of the Lord born in Bethlehem: as all flattery of idols ends and Christ reigns forever ".

Christmas - the great day of the entire Christian world - has long been accompanied by colorful folk customs. In many countries, as in Russia, it was considered one of the main family holidays. The Nativity of Christ merged with the ancient Slavic rite - Christmastide. Over time, Christmas rituals turned into Christmas rituals. Christmas Orthodox family I waited all year, the preparation for it was thorough. For six weeks before Christmas we fasted and ate fish. Who is richer - beluga, sturgeon, pike perch; who is poorer - herring, catfish, bream. In Russia there was a lot of any kind of fish. But at Christmas everyone ate pork.

In Ukrainian culture, Christmas begins to be celebrated on January 6th, Holy evening. The evening meal marks the end of the strict forty-day pre-Christmas fast. It is customary for the whole family to gather at the table immediately after the appearance of the first star in the sky, which symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem, which notified the shepherds about the birth of Jesus. There must be twelve dishes on the table - in honor of the twelve apostles. The main dish on the Lenten table is kutya, which is wheat or rice porridge mixed with poppy seeds, raisins, honey and nuts, as well as uzvar, a compote made from dried fruits. On the seventh, people only visit relatives and sing carols.

Evening meal on Holy Eve, January 6th.
There must be twelve dishes on the table - in honor of the twelve apostles

In Russia, Christmas Eve comes on the sixth day before Christmas; its name comes from the special food that is traditionally eaten on this day. Sochivo consists of boiled wheat and honey. After the first star rises, everyone sits down at a table set with twelve Lenten dishes and dine in solemn silence. For the Russian people, one of the most fun periods of the year is Christmastide, during which mass celebrations, games take place, songs are sung, everyone has fun and jokes. Also at this time, young girls make fortunes; it is believed that it is at Christmas that one can most accurately predict their future.

In most countries of the Christian world (Catholic, Protestant and some Orthodox churches), Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in accordance with the new Gregorian calendar. The religious celebration begins on the night of December twenty-fourth to twenty-fifth with midnight mass. Despite the extreme similarity in the celebration of Christmas in Europe and America, the features different cultures and peoples complement it with their unique colors. For example, many Americans, whose ancestors moved to America from Poland, still keep their traditions. Before Christmas on December 24, they spread hay on the floor and under the tablecloth. This should remind them of the inn, stable and manger where Jesus was born. Strict fasting on this day until the first star. In the evening, as soon as the first star rises, the traditional Polish pre-Christmas dinner begins. Beetroot soup, a variety of fish, cabbage, mushrooms and “sweet meat” (not real meat, but a sweet made from honey and poppy seeds) are traditional dishes for such a holiday. True, meat dishes can only be eaten on Christmas Day itself – December 25th.

Americans with Hungarian roots place great emphasis on church services and singing on Christmas Eve and day. Perhaps more than any other Americans, no matter where their ancestors came from. In the evening, they gather in their yards around decorated Christmas trees and wait for the first star to appear. After this, richly seasoned food is prepared: rolls with walnuts and poppy seeds, dumplings with honey and poppy seeds, biscuits with cumin, sesame and anise.

In the southern United States, Christmas is celebrated especially noisily: with fireworks and salutes. Early settlers used this to greet their neighbors. It was also believed that evil spirits were driven out in this way.

A completely different tradition in cold Alaska. On Christmas night, groups of boys and girls with lanterns in their hands carry from house to house a large cardboard star decorated with pieces of colored paper. The next day, the children dress up as King Herod's retinue and try to kill the baby Jesus, thus dramatizing the events of two thousand years ago.

The traditions of celebrating Christmas in Ukraine are extremely strong and colorful. In some regions of Ukraine there is a tradition of decorating the table Didukh, a sheaf of wheat or oats of a special shape: with four legs and a large number of knots, symbolizing prosperity for the next year. As in the old days, for Christmas, many people cover the floor in village huts with fresh hay and the table with straw, on which they then lay a tablecloth and place treats. All this reminds us that the Savior was born not in royal palaces, but in a sheep stable and was laid in a manger on straw. On the morning of January 7, the whole family or several representatives go to church for holiday prayer, and returning from church, people joyfully greet: “Christ is born!” They are answered - “Praise him!” Starting from the evening of January 6, they go everywhere Christoslavs (carolers) with the Star of Bethlehem. A large star made of gilded paper was attached to a stick, decorated with a lantern, paper garlands, sometimes an icon of the Nativity, the Savior or Mother of God, then with this star singing Christmas carols go around surrounding houses. Such visits are called caroling.

Carolers

An ancient Christmas custom in Ukraine was (and often remains) walking with nativity scene. Nativity scene was a small box depicting the cave where, according to legend, Christ was born. This box was a miniature puppet theater in which folk craftsmen performed entire performances on the theme of Christmas. In the 19th century, it became fashionable in many city houses to make a small home nativity scene for children. It was placed under the Christmas tree. Dolls were skillfully made from paper, cotton wool, wax, and dressed in brocade and silk caftans. There were also Eastern Magi and angels who praised, but the center of the composition was inevitably Mary and Joseph, bending over the manger with the Divine Child. In the western and southern regions of Ukraine, such a nativity scene was often installed in a church. IN Lately The tradition of building a nativity scene under the Christmas tree has begun to be revived; dolls for it can even be purchased in the store.

Nativity scene

Mummers also went to caroling - they acted out Christmas stories, as well as other Christian stories that enjoyed constant success among the people. These usually included the Goat, Herod, Shepherds, Kings, Jews and even Death. Death is generally an extravagant character. At night, when you see it, you can get scared. Everyone has masks and you will never know whether you know someone underneath them or not. But you should be especially careful with Jews, otherwise they will scam you out of all your money. Moving from house to house with the news of the Bethlehem shepherds, the mummers glorified the coming into the world of the Savior, who showed the only path to true happiness - through love for others, opening the doors of mercy and compassion.

Participants in theatrical Christmas nativity scenes and carols

Despite the peculiarities of Christmas celebration traditions different nations, at the present time, almost all of them are united by certain common symbols. These include the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas, and the obligatory character of the holiday - Santa Claus (we have Father Frost), and a Christmas tree decorated with toys and garlands. Almost everywhere at Christmas, festive wreaths and bells are hung, and Christmas candles are lit. On this bright holiday, all people glorify Christ, greet each other: “Christ is born!”, and send Christmas cards to family and friends.

Find out more about the New Year and Christmas holidays:

Christmastide

Christmastide is a special holiday time after Christmas and before Epiphany Christmas Eve. But, unfortunately, many perceive the holidays as days of unbridled fun and idleness. This has nothing to do with the original meaning of Christmastide.

Christmas lasts three days. Pious believers try to spend them in the temple. The second day after Christmas is called the Council Holy Mother of God, Christians in churches glorify the One from whom the Savior was born.

They came after the Nativity of Christ and lasted two weeks. According to legend, for eight days after the birth of Jesus Christ, evil spirits roam the earth, prowl the streets, scaring passers-by. The mummers represented evil spirits, put on horned and bearded masks, scared and amused people. During Christmas time, funny masquerades were held. This custom was brought to Russia from Europe by Peter I.

Winter Christmastide began with caroling. Guys and girls walked around the village and “clicked” Kolyada at each yard. Songs wished the owners of the house the blessings of life and demanded rewards. Kolyada and Ovsen - mythological characters of songs - were supposed to bring a bountiful harvest and domestic happiness to the peasants.

The winter holidays were noisy and happy holiday. The youth went around all the houses in the village singing Christmas songs. They lit fires and dressed up. They gathered for games, had get-togethers, and the girls told fortunes.

Christmastide is a day of joy that the Lord Jesus Christ was born for our salvation. It is customary to go on a visit, visit the sick, the elderly, prisoners, the poor, and give gifts so that they too can share with us the happiness of the Nativity of Christ.

On Christmastide, all fasts are canceled, meals are plentiful and varied. Especially for these days, children learn spiritual poems, chants, and Christmas scenes.

Out of ignorance, the sanctity of these days is often violated by “folk customs”: fortune telling, dressing up in jester costumes, etc.

Christmas Traditions

On Christmas Eve, children were read the Gospel or told about the birth of Christ. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve, candles were lit and placed on the windows. And bonfires were lit in the streets to warm the newborn Jesus Christ on a frosty winter night. Light some candles on Christmas Eve too. This will unite you with your ancestors and millions of people around the world who celebrate the upcoming Christmas on this day and, perhaps, light candles at this very moment. On Christmas Eve, children with paper stars and lanterns, accompanied by an adult, walked around the city and knocked on those houses where there were lit candles on the windows. They sang Christmas songs praising Christ, joked, acted out entire performances, and danced. And the owners were happy to invite the singers into the house, to the table, or generously reward them with Christmas delicacies. Not accepting Christoslavs was considered a sin for the owners. This custom was called caroling - according to one version, in honor of the pagan god of feasts and peace Kolyada, and the songs were called carols.

The Nativity of Christ is called “the mother of all holidays,” and this is fair: after all, with the birth of Jesus Christ - the son of God, the Savior of the world - his earthly life begins, leading through suffering and death to the wonderful Resurrection. The significance of this holy night is difficult to overestimate. The whole course starts from her new history and our chronology itself.

More than two thousand years have passed since the Son of God was born in the small town of Bethlehem. Jesus Christ was born supernaturally from the Virgin Mary, whom we have since called the Mother of God. Coming to earth, He was not greeted with honor . He had neither a cradle, nor even a shelter - He was born in a cave and was laid in a manger, where they put food for animals.

The first guests of the Divine Infant were simple shepherds, to whom the Angel announced the Nativity of Christ, and the Magi (ancient sages) who came with gifts to the King of the World from the east. The star of Bethlehem showed them the way to Jerusalem.

The Christmas holiday was established in the 4th century by the Roman Emperor Constantine, who adopted Christianity and legalized it by special decree. Since then, Christians have reverently treated the holy night of the Nativity of Christ. Houses and temples are decorated in advance with fir branches, the eternal greenery of which has long been considered a symbol of the tree of life. In all churches, in large and small churches, on Christmas night solemn services glorifying Christ are held everywhere, and the main celebrations in Russia take place in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The festive service begins at 22.00: the bells ring, all the candlesticks and chandeliers are lit, chapters from the Gospel are read, telling about the birth of the Infant Christ. The choir joyfully sings praises, and children's voices sound especially touching in it. Church songs explaining the meaning of the holiday are sung on Christmas night and on subsequent days throughout the week.

Of all the Orthodox holidays, Christmas Day is the most “childish”, because it is associated with the memory of our Savior’s stay in infancy. At this time, children receive special attention. On Christmas Day, they find gifts under the tree, and during the Christmastide, children's matinees are held in churches.

The Nativity of Christ is celebrated according to the established order once and for all, just like other Orthodox holidays: it is preceded by a forty-day fast, during which Christians pray more, read the Law of God and abstain from “meat” food. Christmas Eve - Christmas Eve. This name is explained by the fact that on this day they eat sochivo - lean porridge with vegetables. In the morning, it is customary to clean the house, put out the dough, wash, and you can sit down at the table only when the first evening star appears in the sky.

Gathered at the festive table, Christians celebrate the Nativity of Christ. It is customary to exchange gifts (this tradition came from the Magi, who presented gifts to the Baby Jesus), congratulate each other and make wishes cherished desires. It is believed that at this sacred moment the sky opens towards the earth and the heavenly powers themselves heed the requests of people: not a single desire of theirs will remain unfulfilled. Of course, this only applies to good wishes.

There are many signs and customs associated with the blessed day of Christmas. As on other major Orthodox holidays, you cannot do household chores on Christmas. From Christmas until Epiphany it is a sin to hunt in the forest. In the villages, shepherds “weeded” the huts in the morning - scattered handfuls of oats, saying: “There are calves on the floor, lambs under the bench, a kid on the bench!”, or: “Lambs behind the bench, calves at the bench, and piglets all over the hut.” ! This action contributed to ensuring that there was always prosperity in the House. All family members had to be generously sprinkled with grain, and the housewife had to have time to prepare a large pot of porridge for breakfast. It is customary to receive guests at Christmas. In the old days, gatherings, games, songs, and house-to-house visits continued throughout the period called Christmastide, which begins on Christmas Day, January 7 (December 25, old style), and ends on January 18 (January 5, old style). Svyatki means “holy evenings.”

Young people gathered for gatherings just to have fun - the girls didn’t even take handicrafts with them - and entertained themselves with songs, fortune telling and games.

Christmas time has arrived. What a joy!

Windy youth guesses,

Who doesn't regret anything

Before which life is far

It lies bright and vast;

Old age guesses through glasses

At his grave board,

Having lost everything irrevocably;

And all the same: hope for them

He lies with his baby talk.

(A. S. Pushkin. “Eugene Onegin”)

The mummers performed entire performances. One of the most popular was called the “blacksmith game.” A “blacksmith” entered the house - a guy with a face smeared with soot and with a large wooden hammer in his hands, and with him “old men” with glued-on beards. At first, the “blacksmith” offered to “reforge” the older girls into the young ones, and when they refused, he began to “reforge” the “old men” who came with him. One of them climbed under a bench covered with a blanket, and the “blacksmith” hit it with a hammer, and as a result, instead of the “old man,” a young guy appeared from under the bench. After all the “old people” became young, the “blacksmith” began to “forge” gifts for the girls, and they had to redeem them with kisses, while smearing themselves with soot for the amusement of the whole company. They also played silent games, forfeits and other games. As a rule, all of them contributed to the psychological liberation of shy young people, who during the game could meet girls as if “by chance.”

During Christmastide, one-day fasts on Wednesday and Friday are canceled.

Christmas is a popular holiday. Now that the customs of our ancestors, which had been forgotten for a while, have returned to us, we again attend Christmas services, send our children to caroling, arrange friendly gatherings at the festive table and with genuine interest we wonder about our fate... On this holiday, tell your children about how the into the light of the Infant Christ, look through the Bible in pictures with them...

Brightly with star rays

The blue sky shines...

“Why, tell me, mom,

Brighter than the stars in the sky

On the holy night of Christmas?

Like a Christmas tree in a mountain world

This midnight is lit,

And diamond lights,

And the shine of radiant stars

She is all decorated...”

“True, my son.

In God's sky

On this holy night

A Christmas tree is lit for the world

And full of wonderful gifts

For the family, she is human.

Look how bright the stars are

They shine for the world in the distance:

The holy gifts shine in them -

Goodwill for people

Peace and truth for the earth..."

G Heine

It was winter.

The wind was blowing from the steppe.

And it was cold

Baby in the nativity scene

On the hillside.

The breath of the ox warmed him.

Pets

We stood in a cave.

A warm haze floated over the manger.

Shaking off the dust from the bed

And millet grains,

Watched from the cliff

Shepherds waking up in the midnight distance

And nearby, unknown before,

Shy than a bowl

At the gatehouse window

A star twinkled on the way to Bethlehem.

The growing glow glowed above her

And it meant something.

And three stargazers

They hurried to the call of unprecedented lights.

They were followed by gifts on camels.

And donkeys in harness,

One little one

The other one was walking down the mountain in small steps.

It was getting light. Dawn is like specks of ash,

The last stars were swept from the sky,

And only the Magi from the countless rabble

Mary let him into the hole in the rock.

He slept, all shining, in an oak manger,

Like a ray of moonlight in the hollow of a hollow.

They replaced his sheepskin coat

Donkey lips and ox nostrils.

We stood in the shadows, as if in the darkness of a stable,

They whispered, barely finding words.

Suddenly someone in the dark turns a little to the left

He pushed the sorcerer away from the manger with his hand,

And he looked back: from the threshold to the Virgin,

The Christmas star looked on like a guest.

On January 7, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of Christ. This is one of the most important Christian holidays, in importance it ranks second after happy holiday Easter.

Its name speaks for itself - Christmas means the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to our world to save human souls.

According to Christian beliefs, Jesus was sent by God to earth to atone for sins and save humanity. The day of his birth divided history into “before” and “after”: from that moment the modern calendar began - “our era”.

Gospel story of the birth of Jesus Christ^

In the small town of Bethlehem, not far from Jerusalem, the Virgin Mary was born into a family of pious parents. From the age of three she was raised in the temple. After leaving the temple at the age of 14, she promised never to marry and to serve only God. The priests entrusted her to an 80-year-old man, widower Joseph from Nazareth, who had adult children, and Mary took the place of her father.

Soon the Archangel Gabriel appeared at Joseph’s house, where Mary lived, and told her: “You will give birth to a son and call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him a throne...”

The country of Judea was then ruled by King Herod, subject to Rome. By decree of the Roman Emperor Augustus, a population census began in Judea, and everyone had to take the census where his ancestors lived. Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to their parents' homeland, Bethlehem.

Because of large cluster people who arrived in the town, they were forced to take refuge outside the city, in a cave where shepherds kept their cattle in inclement weather. At night, the Virgin Mary gave birth to a baby - the Son of God. Mary swaddled him and put him in a manger where they put feed for livestock.

The Bethlehem shepherds were the first to know about the birth of the Savior of the world. In the field where they were grazing their flocks, an angel appeared in a bright light. He told the frightened shepherds: “Do not be afraid! I bring you great joy: today a Savior has been born, who is Christ. You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

The shepherds found a cave and bowed to the baby lying in the manger, and then, joyful, returned to their flocks. On the eighth day after the baby was born, Joseph and Mary gave him the name Jesus, which means “God saves,” or “Savior.”

How to celebrate Christmas ^

Everyone looks forward to the eve of the Nativity of Christ all year long, called Christmas Eve, which ends with the holy night (December 24/January 6). According to tradition, it is on Christmas Eve after the first star in the sky (in memory of the wonderful Star of Bethlehem, which announced to the whole world about the birth of the “divine child”) that the strict Nativity fast ends, which begins on November 28 and ends on January 7.

Since the last day before fasting falls on the day of remembrance of the Holy Apostle Philip, the fast itself is usually called Filippovka (Pilipovka). The Nativity Fast was established so that by Christmas people would be physically and spiritually cleansed by repentance, prayers and abstinence from food, passions, vices, insults, evil and other sins.

In general, the holidays of the Christmas cycle begin on January 2, Ignat Day. The girls clean the house carefully. By January 4, Anastasia's Day, the house should be festively decorated. It is on this day that everything is prepared for preparing the future festive dinner. Often they stabbed a pig on Anastasia, that is, they carried out a “fresh” test. And, in the end, the culmination of the holiday is Christmas Eve or, in other words, Rich Kutya (January 6).

On the eve of the Nativity of Christ on January 6, it is customary to sit down to a generous but Lenten table. One of the main traditions of celebrating Christmas is the Holy Evening. After putting the house in order, twelve holiday dishes in honor of the twelve apostles.

Our ancestors prepared borscht, fish, cabbage, dumplings and pies with apples (cabbage), as well as other Lenten dishes on Christmas Eve. According to tradition, only when January 7th comes can meat be put on the table. This is how they were served on the table homemade sausage, boiled pork, ham, stuffed goose, duck or pig, jelly, gingerbread, etc.

• It is not customary to have breakfast and lunch on January 6; a light snack is only allowed for children.
• It is necessary to sit down at the Christmas table with the appearance of the first star. The Holy Evening begins with prayer and the lighting of the Christmas candle. In the company of the whole family, including babies, the owner of the house blesses the dinner.
• According to tradition, every family member must be at home that evening, and one must not be late for festive table, since it is believed that you will wander all year.
• During dinner, you must not leave the table or talk loudly.
• The festive table should amaze with its diversity, but we must not forget that Lent is still ongoing, so those who like a glass will have to wait a little.
• None of the dishes should be left untouched.
• You can't clear the table until Christmas Day on January 7th.

• The main dish on the table this evening is, of course, kutia. Throughout all holidays, right up to Epiphany, kutia should be in the most honorable place in the house.
• After dinner was over, the children took lunch to their godparents, while the adults prepared for the evening church service.
• Only the girls, who always want to know about their fate, had no peace. The evening gradually ends and a magical Christmas night begins, during which you cannot sleep, as you can “sleep through” all the happiness.
• On the morning of January 7, people joyfully greet with the phrase “Christ is born!”, and in response they hear - “We praise him!”

What not to do at Christmas

• On pain of all sorts of troubles, nothing could be bent, weaved or sewed on Christmas Day.
• Legs dining table They tied each other with a rope so that the cattle would not run away from the herd.
• The remains of the evening meal were taken outside the fence - “so that the wolves would not harm the peasant cattle.”
• A popular proverb says: Whoever slaughters cattle on Christmas Day will die in three years.
• You cannot lend anything related to fire on Christmas Eve, for example, a flint, matches, a lighter, a bucket of coal or firewood, etc., otherwise misfortune will befall you.
• Never sew, wash your hair, do laundry or lend money on three-day holy holidays (Christmas, Easter and Trinity), otherwise you will set yourself up for tears and poverty.
• On Christmas Eve, do not borrow bread, salt or money from home, otherwise all the goods will pass through your hands.

• They do not cut hair or spin wool.
• Do not wash or boil laundry.
• Believers must finish all the dirty work by this day in Maundy Thursday, and whoever “pulls” dirt on Christmas Eve will sit in it for the whole year.
• You cannot sit at the Christmas table in mourning, that is, in black clothes - you will invite disaster.
• If on this bright day a dog howls in your yard, then there will be trouble. To get rid of it, you need to immediately go up to the dog, untie it and say: “Just as the rope doesn’t hold you, so the trouble wouldn’t hold on to my house!”
• Do not buy ropes on January 8, the second day of Christmas, so that there will never be someone hanged or strangled in your family.
• Do not cook or eat jelly on this day, so as not to invite the deceased into your house.
• On the ninth of January, the third day of Christmas, do not cut wood before sunset.

What to do for Christmas

According to popular beliefs, in order for your loved ones to be happy and healthy throughout the whole year, on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ on January 7, ask the oldest member of the family to treat all relatives with milk. When bringing milk to someone, he must say every time: “The Lord was born, the people were baptized. May you be cheerful and healthy. Amen".

On Christmas Eve old times they took out and left food for people in need or distributed treats - it was believed that in this way all the deceased ancestors, who did not have time to eat before their death, satisfied their hunger.

• I'm going after festive feast did not clear the table so that souls of the dead your relatives have eaten holiday food, and for this they will pray for you.
• In a family where there is no peace and harmony, on Christmas night they put a bucket out in the cold, and in the morning they put it on the fire and say: “The ice will melt, the water will boil, and [so-and-so]’s soul will ache for me.” This water is given to the husband to wash his face or in the form of tea/soup, and they also wash the husband’s underwear in it. Holy Christmas water always helps a woman's troubles.
• Ask God for what you really need at Christmas. Ask seventy-seven times and it will be given to you. Whoever asks God for something at three o'clock in the morning on Christmas Day will be given it.
• If on Christmas night you look for a flying star in the sky and make a wish, then it will definitely come true.
• On January 7, in the cold, jump out into the street lightly and, as soon as goosebumps appear on your body, say: “As there are so many pimples on my skin, so that I have so much money too.”

Christmas traditions and signs ^

These days were considered special, since the fragile, unbaptized world was inhabited by spirits ready to tell people about the future, about their fate. Therefore, since ancient times, Christmastide has been accompanied by fortune-telling, following omens and magical rituals.

Caroling

From December 25th, for a whole week, children walked around with a star made of paper and a nativity scene. A star the size of an arshin was made of paper, painted and illuminated from the inside with a candle. A nativity scene is a two-tiered box in which wooden figures depicted scenes associated with the birth of Christ.

Arriving under the windows of the house, they sang first the troparion and kontakion for the holiday, and then the grapevine; Meanwhile, the star was constantly spinning in a circle - Having sung the grapes, the owner and hostess were congratulated on the holiday, and finally, they exclaimed to the glory of God, thereby asking for a donation. Then the owner allowed one of the famers to come into his house and gave him money.

Mummers

Mummers walked from house to house. Fortune telling and other entertainments were held. Everyone dressed up - young and old, men and women. They dressed up as a soldier, a peasant, a gypsy, a lady, a coachman, etc.

• Married and elderly women went to other villages as mummers, allowing themselves to do things that in normal times were considered reprehensible and even quite indecent.
• In order not to be recognized, they either painted their faces with soot, or glued on mustaches and beards made of tow, or put on homemade masks.
• Among the mummers there was always a bear with a guide.
• In the evenings, with accordion and balalaika, the mummers went to visit friends and relatives, sang, danced, and called their hosts names.

Carols

“Carols” were also called cookies that were baked in the form of figures of animals and birds - “cows”, “roes”, etc.

• The largest “carol” was taken to the barn and left there until Epiphany.
• At Epiphany, they crumbled it into holy water and fed it to the cattle so that it would not get sick, would bear fruit well, and would know a home.
• Komi-Permyaks kept bread “kozulka” in a shrine until Epiphany, and then also fed it to the animals that this or that “kozulka” represented.
• The rest of the “carols” were awarded to the mummers and carolers who came to the house for their songs.

Signs

There are a lot of Christmas signs:

• If it's Christmas good weather, snow - for a fruitful year; The day is warm - the bread will be dark and thick.
• If Christmas is in the new month, then the year will be lean.
• There will be a snowstorm at Christmas - the bees will swarm well.
• What is the weather like after Christmas, the same will be after Peter's Day (July 12).
• At Christmas, it was considered bad if a woman (from strangers) entered the house first - the women in that house would be ill all year.
• At Christmas they usually wear a nice, clean shirt, but not a new one, otherwise you won’t be expecting a harvest.
• It was considered great luck for the whole year if a sheep gave birth to a lamb on Christmas night. Sheep were generally revered in Christianity in memory of the birth of the baby Jesus, who was born in the shepherds' cave and was laid in a sheep manger.

When is Catholic Christmas celebrated?

The Orthodox celebrate the Nativity of Christ after the Catholics due to differences in the calendars: the old Julian and the new Gregorian. It is generally accepted that Gregorian calendar more accurately reflects the movement of the Earth around the Sun, therefore it is more consistent with the change of seasons and seasonal changes in temperature.

• Calendar reforms, like the calendars themselves, were initially perceived by people in a religious context. The discussion of the "new style" took place in 1563 in the reformation Western Church at the Council of Trent.
• The use of the new calendar was prescribed by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, and it is with this man that the name of the calendar itself is associated - the Gregorian. Dad Gregory XIII made an offer to support his innovation to all Christian sovereigns.
• When correcting the date shift in 1582, 10 days were added at once, due to which the 4th of October immediately followed the 15th.

Society did not immediately accept the new calendar, since at first it perceived it as an incomprehensible papal idea. Only in XVIII century The Gregorian calendar was adopted by Protestant countries. The Orthodox adopted a new calendar at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, and to many such a transition to the “Catholic” chronology seemed practically an apostasy.

Today, the Gregorian calendar is perceived by us as an ordinary, generally accepted calendar. In our country, a new style was introduced by the Soviet government, but the Russian Orthodox Church, remaining in the old calendar, deliberately did not want to obey the laws of a non-Christian state in those days.

Therefore, historically it happened that public holidays, such as February 23, March 8 or May 1, we celebrate according to the new calendar, and Religious holidays, as well as fasting, we observe according to the old calendar.