Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Christmas Around the World – Putin on the Ritz

We can give Vladimir Putin credit for running around showing off his bare chest, particularly when it comes to riding horseback and other manly activities. We can also give him credit for putting Christmas back into the thoughts of the Russians by attending Christmas liturgy every Christmas. Thankfully, the Russians appear to be following his leadership on the Christmas celebration and not the need to show off pecs and abs.

As of 1917, the Bolsheviks banned Christmas celebrations, and the Russian Christmas soon gave way to Festival of Winter and the New Year was the celebration. The tree decorations and the presents were now a symbol of the New Year. Since most of the Christians occupying Russia were Orthodox, they followed the Advent calendar, only their rendition was 40 days as opposed to the more traditional 24 days. Advent begins on the 28th of November and runs until the 7th of January, which is the date that Orthodox Russian Christmas celebrate Christmas. The small handful of Catholics in the country celebrate on the traditional 25th of December. The Orthodox use the old Julian Calendar as their guide to the dates for holidays.

Russian Christmas starts on the 31st of December and goes until the 10th of January. This is the time that the entire country celebrates the holidays with parties, food, gifting, fasting and celebrations. Those who fast can start as many as 39 days prior to Christmas Eve (January 6th), and they continue the fast until the first star appears in the sky on Christmas Eve. Then there are meals of hot porridge (sochivo) filled with fruits and berries. It can also include walnuts, grapes, poppy seeds and honey. The porridge is served in a common bowl. There can also be porridge tossing, which is a spoonful is thrown up to the ceiling and if it sticks, you will have good luck. If it doesn’t, someone is on the cleaning committee.

Rice and wheat porridges make up the end of the fasting.

The end of the fast is celebrated with the commencement of a 12 course meal. The courses in this meal are representative of the apostles, and the meal consists of fish, vegetables and dried fruits. It does not contain meat. They are really big on sauerkraut in Russia, and along with mushrooms, potatoes and beet root soup, the meal is a vegetarian delight. Dessert on the other hand consists of gingerbread, honeybread cookies and fruit pies. A cup of Vzvar is a welcome addition to the table. This drink is boiled fruit and honey that makes a sweet drink. The Vzvar means boil up, but the traditional meaning is the baby Jesus.


The traditional use of a white tablecloth and hay on the floor symbolizes the manager and Jesus’ birth.
After the meal, everyone heads off to church services. Dishes do not get washed until they return from the services, even if it is 5 a.m.

Around this time, Father Frost shows up for all the kiddies. He is accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka. The children traditionally stand around the Christmas tree holding hands and calling for Father Frost and Snegurochka to appear. Magically, the tree lights up and there they are!



The most traditional gift delivering figure of the Russian traditions is the grandmotherly Babushka. It is said that she was visited by the Wise Men who were looking for directions that would take them to Jesus. She declined to accompany them on their journey, so now, out of regret, she wanders around bringing gifts to all the children because she neglected to take gifts to Jesus.


Babushka sends kisses to all the boys and girls


The Russians love their decorated trees, and the sight this tree filled with lights in Moscow’s Red Square is a beautiful sight.


Maybe you can find something here that you can be Putin on your Christmas list.

hollyknittercreations

Thanksgiving Turkey Hanging Dish Towel With Hand Knit Button Topper

Thanksgiving Turkey Hanging Dish Towel With Hand Knit Button Topper

ShanghaiTai

Swarovski crystal earrings 14KGF handmade ear wires choose color

Swarovski crystal earrings 14KGF handmade ear wires choose color

Wyverndesigns

Tangelo Orange Dangle Earrings

Tangelo Orange Dangle Earrings

RSSDesignsInFiber

Strawflower Coaster or Small Doily Pair in Yellow and Orange

Strawflower Coaster or Small Doily Pair in Yellow and Orange

specialtivity

Orange Carnelian,Orange Rainbow Agate,Botswana Agate Gemstone Earrings

Orange Carnelian,Orange Rainbow Agate,Botswana Agate Gemstone Earrings

Umeboshi

Vulcan's Forge Red and Silver Dichroic Fused Glass Handcrafted Pendant

Vulcan's Forge Red and Silver Dichroic Fused Glass Handcrafted Pendant

ResetarGlassArt

Glass Post Earrings - Transparent Orange Millefiori Flowers

Glass Post Earrings - Transparent Orange Millefiori Flowers

KevsKrafts

Handmade Bell Bulb Christmas Ornament White Ash Wood Gold Any Age Unisex

Handmade Bell Bulb Christmas Ornament White Ash Wood Gold Any Age Unisex
TwistedThreadAndHook

Sunshine Flower Rug - Yellow Nursery Rug - Flower Room Decor - Handmade to Order

Sunshine Flower Rug - Yellow Nursery Rug - Flower Room Decor - Handmade to Order

LilBitOLove

Autumn Handmade Paper Pieced Happy Fall Three Dimensional Card
Autumn Handmade Paper Pieced Happy Fall Three Dimensional Card

BrulezRulez

Sashay Ruffle Scarf 'Salsa' Reds Oranges Auburns

Sashay Ruffle Scarf 'Salsa' Reds Oranges Auburns

Creationsbyfrannie

Cake in a Bowl Delights in 2 Minutes

 Cake in a Bowl Delights in 2 Minutes

WireCrafters

Yellow Sunshine and Pearl Wire Wrapped Stained Glass Earrings

Yellow Sunshine and Pearl Wire Wrapped Stained Glass Earrings

ShadowDogDesigns

Handmade Cross Earrings Magnesite Red Sterling OOAK Jewelry Beaded

Handmade Cross Earrings Magnesite Red Sterling OOAK Jewelry Beaded

TheTwistedRedhead

Hand Made Reversible Orange and Yellow Fabric Coasters, Glass Beads

Hand Made Reversible Orange and Yellow Fabric Coasters, Glass Beads

cardsbylibe

Thank You Card Handmade Triple Flowers

Thank You Card Handmade Triple Flowers
postcardsintheattic

Tall-Tale Postcard Florida Oranges Train cars

Tall-Tale Postcard Florida Oranges Train cars

ElunaJewelry

Sterling Silver and Orange Glass Heart Earrings

Sterling Silver and Orange Glass Heart Earrings

adorebynat

Cute Car Favor Tags for Boys Birthday or Baby Shower Party

Cute Car Favor Tags for Boys Birthday or Baby Shower Party

Covergirlbeads

Orange Large Hole Lampwork Bracelet Charm Bead With Cubic Zirconias

Orange Large Hole Lampwork Bracelet Charm Bead With Cubic Zirconias

craftingmemories

Orange and White Striped Peyote Stitched Bracelet

Orange and White Striped Peyote Stitched Bracelet

PrettyGonzo

Carnelian and Copper Crystal Bracelet, Czech Glass, Star Charm, Earthy

Carnelian and Copper Crystal Bracelet, Czech Glass, Star Charm, Earthy

Gingers-Garden

Glycerin Soap Flower Orange Zinnia in a gift box Handcrafted

Glycerin Soap Flower Orange Zinnia in a gift box Handcrafted

QuiltTops

Vintage Barware Set 6 Glass Mugs on Wood Tray Siesta Ware Mid Century

Barware Set of 6 Glass Mugs on Wood Tray Shasta Ware Mid Century

ThaddeusRose

Citrine Glass Bead Dangle Earrings Bead Caps Pink Brown Pale Yellow

Citrine Glass Bead Dangle Earrings Bead Caps Pink Brown Pale Yellow

jnldesigns

Shades of Orange Interchangeable Watch Band with Flower Watch Face

Shades of Orange Interchangeable Watch Band with  Flower Watch Face

LittleApples

Antique Brass Autumn Orange Flower Brown Crystal Glass Pendant Necklace

Antique Brass Autumn Orange Flower Brown Crystal Glass Pendant Necklac

BLindEyeArtist-SJJ

The Seasons: Autumn watercolor redhead woman painting brown

The Seasons: Autumn watercolor ooak original wall art fall halloween thanksgiving orange red purple elemental redhead woman painting brown

evezbeadz

20mm Half Cut Orange Fruit Polymer Clay Beads

20mm Half Cut Orange Fruit Beads ~ LAST

bluemorningexpressions

Orange Flowers on a Purple Bead with Purple Flowers Jewelry Making

Orange Flowers on a Purple Bead with Purple Flowers Handmade Polymer
MagpieSue

Care Bears Care for You Vinyl Record, 1980's memories

Care Bears Care for You Vinyl Record, 1980's memories

Thesingingbeader

Orange fire agate necklace large chunky gemstones gold accents adjusts

Orange fire agate necklace large chunky gemstones gold accents adjusts

artbysunfire

Index card 4 x 6 binder organizer in orange and white 358

Index card 4 x 6 binder organizer in orange and white 358
TheOldBarnDoor

Orange Rose on vintage bas relief Birthday Postcard flocked Rose Gottschalk

Dreyfuss & Davis Seattle RPO cancel 1913

Orange Rose on vintage bas relief Birthday Postcard flocked Rose Gottschalk Dreyfuss & Davis Seattle RPO cancel 1913

craftsofthepast

Old Yemen Mixed Silver Wheel Beads with Resin Barrel Beads

Old Yemen Mixed Silver Wheel Beads with Resin Barrel Beads

KatsAllThat

Tangerine Orange and Green Lampwork- Czech Emerald Crystal Bracelet

Tangerine Orange and Green Lampwork- Czech Emerald Crystal Bracelet

jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy

Burnt Orange Peach Green flat spiral Handmade beaded bangle bracelet

Burnt Orange Peach Green flat spiral Handmade beaded bangle bracelet

dianesdangles

Intarsia Mexican Birdseye Black Brown Agate Trapezoid Pendant Necklace

Intarsia Mexican Birdseye Black Brown Agate Trapezoid Pendant Necklace

PutmanLakeDesigns

Quilted Welcome Pineapple Wall Hanging in Orange Batiks

Handmade Quilted Pineapple Welcome Wall Hanging in Batiks

Kiss Babushka good-bye, dress warm and let’s head off to our next destination. The time is growing short, and we only have three more stops before this tour ends.

Enjoy

Julie and Blu