12 Russian Christmas Facts to Know While Looking for Russian Ladies for Marriage

Christmas is one of the most, if not the most, celebrated holidays in the world, and traditions on this day differ all over the world. Taking Russia as an example, in the hopes of meeting Russian ladies for marriage, you might want to be familiar with their slightly different but very interesting and enjoyable traditions when you’re spending Christmas there. They’re as follows:

1. They celebrate Christmas and New Year in January

People usually celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December and New Year on the 1^st of January. This is because most places follow the Gregorian calendar. However, when you meet Russian ladies and get to spend Russian holidays with them, you will come to know that their Christmas and New Year are celebrated on different dates.

Their Christmas is celebrated on the 7^th of January while New Year is celebrated on the 14^th of January because the Russian Orthodox Church follows Julian Calendar, a calendar that is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar.

2. They still celebrate Christmas and New Year on Dec 25^thand January 1^st

If you plan to spend your Christmas season in Russia, you are in for a treat. Despite Russia having different dates for Christmas and New Year because of the Julian calendar, they still observe both holidays on December 25^th and January 1^st.

This means you get to have two Christmases and two New Years! That’s even more chances for you to enjoy the holidays in the biggest country in the world, and possibly meet Russian singles while at it.

3. Celebration of Christmas used to be banned

There was a time when publicly celebrating Christmas was banned in the country because Russia used to be a communist and atheist country in the 20th century. Fortunately, the traditions and celebrations came back after 1991 when the Soviet Union fell. After this event, many Russians reverted to practicing religion and celebrating the Christmas season.

4. They put hay on their floor and tables

One of the interesting traditions of Russians on Christmas is putting hay on their floor and tables. This is their way of representing the manger of baby Jesus. Moreover, to give more emphasis on the recreation of the birthplace of baby Jesus, they lay out a white cloth. Don’t be surprised, then, to find Russian women and men doing this during the Christmas holiday.

5. Russian fast until the first star appears on Christmas Eve

Another tradition that separates Russians from others celebrating Christmas is fasting. While Christmas is known to be a time of feast and people trying out the best dishes different cuisines have to offer, you will find that it’s quite the opposite in Russia. Russians fast right up until the first star of the night appeared on Christmas Eve. Then, their lovely feast starts.

6. They serve 12 significant dishes on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, your Russian wife, or soon-to-be, may very likely serve you the traditional set of dishes for Russians to conclude the Nativity Fast. It is a set of meal that includes 12 dishes, usually meatless, which represent the 12 apostles of Jesus.

7. They have a beautiful church service on Christmas Eve

Russian women dating guys from another country might take them to the beautiful and solemn church service done on Christmas Eve, usually in the magnificent city of Moscow. These church services have become so popular and meaningful that they are attended by important public figures like Russia’s president himself.

8. The meal of Christmas day includes a meat dish

While vegetarians will be thrilled about the usually meatless dishes served on Christmas Eve, meat lovers will have their turn on Christmas day itself. In Russia, the feast on Christmas Day usually features a special dish of goose, pork, and meat to be eaten with a wide selection of side dishes and mouth-watering desserts.

9. Their Santa Claus is Father Frost

One of the most popular Christmas figures on Christmas is Santa Claus. However, in Russia, they have their own name for him. Santa Claus in Russia is known to a child, an elderly, a couple, and even single Russian woman and men as Father Frost. Another name he is known for is Ded Moroz, and he interestingly gives presents on New Year’s Eve, not Christmas Eve.

10. Svyatki is what they call their Christmastime.

Learn what Christmastime is called in Russian to impress your Russian girlfriend more. Svyatki- Russian Christmastime is a two-week period full of pagan traditions. The season ends on January 19 which represents the baptism of Jesus and is honored by people by submerging into cold lakes and rivers.

11. Dolls and boxes are the traditional gifts on Christmas

If you’re looking for traditional gifts in Russia dating that women appreciate, try giving Russian lacquer boxes and nesting dolls. They’re not hard to find as many shops offer them.

12. They light up a bonfire, do fortune-telling, and sing Christmas carols

Some of the best Christmas traditions in Russia are as fun as the other traditions all over the world are. For one, they light up a bonfire in light of the cold season Christmas. They also have fortune-telling, although this one is mostly for fun, and they do Christmas caroling which is one of the most practiced Christmas activities in the world.

Conclusion

Christmas in Russia brings a unique kind of Christmas experience that a lot of people should have. After all, on Christmas, it’s not the activities that matter, but the spirit, which is exactly what Christmas in Russia brings.