Where Can I Get Gas on Christmas Day

Christmas copse on the Lubyanka square in the center of Moscow.

Konstantin Kokoshkin/Global Look Printing

In Orthodox Russia, Santa Claus is non coming to town, you fast for 40 days and celebrate this happy holiday two weeks later. Nevertheless, it's not as bad equally it sounds – we explicate it in uncomplicated questions and answers.

i. It's Christmas Eve today! Do Russians celebrate?

Statistically, that's not likely simply information technology depends on their confession. Most Russian Catholics and Protestants celebrate, but Orthodox Christians, who make around lxxx percent of the population, have to await for their Christmas dinners until January. 7. Of class, Muslims, Buddhists, atheists and all others don't recognize the holiday.

2. Why do the Orthodox celebrate Christmas in January?

Until 1918, Russia and the Western world lived according to dissimilar calendars: Russia stuck to the older Julian agenda that lagged behind the modernistic, Gregorian i by 2 weeks. In 1918, the Bolsheviks adopted the Gregorian agenda in Russia, only the clergy decided to keep to the Julian. Basically, the Orthodox also celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25 according to their church calendar, simply by this time information technology'south already Jan. 7 for the rest of the world.

3. Wait, and so Russians have to wait for their Christmas gifts and Santa for two weeks?

No, they don't. Russians don't substitution presents on Christmas, and in that location is no Santa Claus.

4. Oh god, why?!

Santa looks for Russian kids in his list but fails to find whatever...

Getty Images

In Russia, Christmas is far less pop than in Western societies where it's all nigh Santa and gifts. This vacation is mostly religious and just the Orthodox are really concerned with information technology; conventional celebrations, similar to the ones in the Westward, accept identify on New Year when we give each other gifts. This is when the Russian companion of Santa, named Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost), comes to homes and gives children presents. Christmas is withal an official holiday, and that's why all of Russian federation is on holiday from Dec. 31 to Jan. 8. Isn't that sweet?

five. And what about religious traditions – are they the same in Russian federation and in the West ?

Not exactly; there are some differences. In Russia, believers who go to church on Christmas have to stand through a long mass, the All-nighttime vigil, to witness the joy of the birth of Christ the Savior. In the Catholic tradition, believers can choose i of three Christmas masses: at night, in the morning time and in the afternoon.

Also, in the Orthodox tradition Christmas is preceded by xl days of strict fasting. In the Catholic world, the closest analog is Appearance, a time for preparation and prayers, which, doesn't come with severe restrictions.

6. If I happen to be in Russia on Christmas, how tin can I celebrate?

This time of year the atmosphere is Christmas-similar all over the country, considering New Year's is getting closer: There are the same Christmas copse,decorations and parties everywhere. And if you lot're looking for a gamble to nourish Christmas mass, several large Russian cities take Catholic and Protestant communities with their own churches, where you lot tin can enjoy the solemn atmosphere of Christmas.

To observe a local church of your confession, check any guidebook: In the case of Catholics, there'due south the online Catholic Travel Guide.  For Protestants, information technology's a bit harder due to the multiplicity of confessions, just the Lutheran churches of St. Peter and St. Paul are easy to find in both Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Good luck with your search, and Merry Christmas!

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Source: https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/329744-russian-christmas