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| 'A Bright, Long-Awaited Holiday.' Orthodox Believers Celebrate Christmas |
| 2025-01-08 |
| Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Mikhail Zakharov [REGNUM] January 7 is Christmas in Russia, a holiday dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ. Along with Easter, this is one of the most significant days in the church calendar for Orthodox believers. On the evening of January 6, believers traditionally go to churches, where on the eve of the holiday an all-night vigil is held - a special solemn service that is held twice a year, on Christmas and Easter. "DO GOOD DEEDS" The main Christmas service in Russia is held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, led by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill." God came to earth and became a man to take us to heaven," he addressed the Russians on this festive night with congratulations. The Patriarch also wished the believers “to remain Christians not only in name, but also in their way of life,” particularly emphasizing the importance of volunteer and humanitarian service in military conflict zones. “Let us walk the path of life with firm faith and unwavering hope for help from above, rejoicing in each new day and new opportunity to do good deeds, loving our neighbors and thanking God always and for everything,” concluded the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. On the night of January 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the Christmas service at the Church of St. George the Victorious on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow. Together with him, the holiday was celebrated by SVO participants, volunteers, and their families, with whom Putin had previously met as part of the Year of the Family events. "This bright, long-awaited holiday is dear to millions of people around the world. It gives believers joy and hope, inspires good thoughts, deeds and actions. During Christmas, we clearly, with all our hearts, feel how important paternal, family traditions are for us, passed down from generation to generation," the head of state congratulated the Russians. Later, the president came to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, where he congratulated the patriarch on the holiday. At the request of the president, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church blessed pectoral crosses and icons for the participants of the special military operation. “I think that our comrades will be honored to receive these symbols of faith, consecrated by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia during the festive service on Christmas night,” the Russian leader’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov quoted the president as saying. FAMILY HOLIDAY Since 1991, Christmas has been an official day off in the country, and this time the holiday also falls on the penultimate day of the New Year holidays. However, this was not always the case: in the USSR, days off were cancelled on religious holidays, and most Christmas customs and traditions, such as decorating a Christmas tree, sending cards and giving gifts, were transferred to the New Year celebration. Today there are no such restrictions, so January 7 is the time for mass Christmas festivities: all over Russia, celebrants visit markets, festivals, concerts, theater productions, exhibitions and performances. Russians also go to ice rinks, and if the weather permits, they go skiing and tubing. Large-scale events are taking place in the capital of Russia, where more than 30 festive venues are open in the city center and districts until January 12 — they are prepared as part of the Journey to Christmas festival. Visitors can expect performances, themed master classes, quests, ice shows and curling, festive dishes and Christmas gifts, and the venues themselves are decorated with garlands, art objects and animation. Public spaces are also open to citizens and guests of the city in St. Petersburg these days, where New Year's fairs are open on Manezhnaya Square and in "New Holland", as well as on "Fort Island" in Kronstadt. The Mariinsky Theatre will host a Christmas concert on January 7 featuring works by outstanding composers. Guests from different cities also travel to the ancient Shuya in the Ivanovo region, which is also called the “capital of Russian Christmas” - there they will be able to see the all-Russian festival dedicated to this holiday until January 8 inclusive. Those believers who stayed at home celebrate the end of the great Nativity Fast with their families. After a night visit to the temple, they return home to gather with their families at a hearty festive table. There are no restrictions on food, although overeating and abusing alcohol are still not recommended. Then Orthodox believers will begin Svyatki, or holy days, the period from Christmas to the Epiphany of the Lord, celebrated on January 19. During these days, it is customary to visit with congratulations, as well as to help those in need: the sick, the elderly, and lonely people. |
| Posted by:badanov |
| #1 Very true. Best wishes for the new year. |
| Posted by: Dale 2025-01-08 02:47 |