Christmas in Russia

Russian Christmas is a story of suppression and revival. For 70 years, the Soviet government banned religious Christmas celebrations and transferred its traditions (the tree, the gifts, the feast) to New Year's Eve. When the ban lifted in 1991, Orthodox Christmas on January 7 was restored as a public holiday. But the secular New Year, with its Ded Moroz, champagne toasts, and Kremlin chimes, had become so deeply embedded in Russian culture that it remained the dominant winter celebration. Today, Russians effectively have two holidays: the boisterous, gift-heavy New Year and the quieter, more spiritual Orthodox Christmas a week later.

New Year: Russia's Real Winter Holiday

December 31 is the night that matters most. Families gather for a lavish dinner featuring Olivier salad (a mayonnaise-dressed potato salad that is the single most consumed dish in Russia during the holidays), herring under a fur coat (layered herring and beet salad), tangerines, and Soviet-era champagne. At 11:55 PM, the President delivers a televised address. At midnight, the Kremlin chimes ring, champagne corks pop, and Ded Moroz has already left gifts under the yolka (tree).

Ded Moroz is not Santa Claus. He is taller, thinner, wears a long robe (traditionally blue, though red versions exist), carries a magical staff, and travels with his granddaughter Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden. He does not use chimneys. The character draws from Slavic folklore and was formalized as a secular gift-bringer by the Soviet government in the 1930s.

Orthodox Christmas: January 7

Orthodox Christmas on January 7 is a quieter affair. The Patriarch of Moscow leads the main service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, broadcast live on Russian television. Across the country, churches hold services on the night of January 6-7. Devout families fast until the first star appears on January 6, then break the fast with sochivo (a wheat or rice porridge with honey and dried fruit).

The January 7 celebration has grown in visibility since 1991, but for many Russians, especially in cities, the religious dimension of Christmas remains secondary to the secular New Year festivities. Rural communities and older generations tend to observe Orthodox Christmas more actively.

Svyatki and Epiphany

The period between Christmas (January 7) and Epiphany (January 19) is called Svyatki, a time traditionally associated with fortune-telling, masquerades, and folk customs. Young women historically used candles, mirrors, and melted wax to divine the identity of their future husbands during Svyatki. The tradition persists in some rural areas.

On January 19, Orthodox Epiphany brings the dramatic tradition of ice swimming. Holes (prorubi) are cut in frozen lakes and rivers, and thousands of Russians plunge into the freezing water, believed to be blessed on this day. The tradition has grown enormously since the 1990s and now attracts participants across all age groups.

Frequently Asked Questions