Merry Christmas In Russian: How To Say It And Celebrate The Holiday

Merry Christmas Text in Russian on Red Background Stock Illustration
Merry Christmas Text in Russian on Red Background Stock Illustration from www.dreamstime.com

Introduction

Merry Christmas is a popular greeting during the holiday season. And if you have Russian friends or family, you might want to learn how to say it in their language. In this article, we’ll teach you how to say Merry Christmas in Russian and explore some of the holiday traditions in Russia.

Saying Merry Christmas in Russian

To say “Merry Christmas” in Russian, you can say “С Рождеством!” (S rozhdestvom!). You can also say “Веселого Рождества!” (Veselogo rozhdestva!), which means “Happy Christmas.”

Christmas Traditions in Russia

In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, which is the Orthodox Christmas. The holiday is observed differently from Western countries, and it’s more religious than commercialized. On Christmas Eve, families gather for a traditional meal that includes 12 dishes representing the 12 apostles. The meal is meatless, and some of the popular dishes include kutya (a sweet grain pudding), borscht (a beet soup), and pickled herring. After the meal, people attend a midnight church service, which is the highlight of the celebration. The service is called “Vigil,” and it includes prayers, hymns, and the reading of the nativity story.

Gift Giving Traditions

In Russia, gift-giving is not as common as it is in Western countries. Children may receive presents from Ded Moroz, who is the Russian version of Santa Claus. He wears a long coat, a hat, and carries a staff. He is often accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka, who wears a long blue or silver dress.

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Conclusion

Now that you know how to say “Merry Christmas” in Russian and some of the traditions associated with the holiday in Russia, you can impress your friends and family with your knowledge. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it’s always interesting to learn about different cultures and their holiday traditions.

Questions and Answers

Q: What is the traditional Christmas Eve meal in Russia?

A: The traditional Christmas Eve meal in Russia is meatless and includes 12 dishes representing the 12 apostles. Some of the popular dishes include kutya, borscht, and pickled herring.

Q: When is Christmas celebrated in Russia?

A: Christmas is celebrated on January 7th in Russia, which is the Orthodox Christmas.

Q: Who is Ded Moroz?

A: Ded Moroz is the Russian version of Santa Claus. He wears a long coat, a hat, and carries a staff. He is often accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka.

Q: What is the highlight of the Christmas celebration in Russia?

A: The highlight of the Christmas celebration in Russia is the midnight church service called “Vigil.” It includes prayers, hymns, and the reading of the nativity story.

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