Regheta News
Life and ministry of Leonid and Leanna Regheta
Russian Animation "Rozhdestvo"
A very precious animation produced in Russia, called "Rozhdestvo," or "Christmas," set to the music of Bach and Beethoven. Some churches have used it as part of their Christmas service programs.
Celebrating Christmas in Russia
"Glory to God in the heavenly heights! Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him."The song of the angels is echoed in many languages around the world. In Russia it was first heard over a thousand years ago. This year again it will be heard both in December, when churches here celebrate "Western" Christmas, and in early January, when the Orthodox churches and majority of Russians, following Orthodox church calendar, have their own celebrations.
Before the communist revolution of 1917, Christmas was celebrated in Russia in much the same way as it was in the rest of the world: on December 25, with Christmas trees and Christmas gifts, Saint Nicholas and the like. During the Soviet years, all formerly Christmas traditions were transferred to New Year's Eve, which became the traditional winter holiday. Christmas trees were also banned by the Communist regime, but people continued to trim their "New Year's" trees. Even St. Nicholas was transformed into Grandfather Frost, Santa Claus equivalent. New Year's Eve is now to Russians what Christmas is to most people in the rest of the world, with one exception: there is no remnant of Christianity in the holiday. New Year's Eve is simply a chance to celebrate, to bring in the new year and get rid of the old. It is a chance to exchange gifts, have a day off and enjoy oneself. Christmas is once again celebrated in Russia, but not near to the extent it once was. All the traditions have been firmly settled in New Year's, and very few people take advantage of the new freedom to celebrate Christmas as they wish.
Evangelical and Protestant Christians either celebrate both Christmas dates or choose one: December and/or January one. Many of the traditional and universally-known Christmas hymns and songs have
been translated into Russian and are widely accepted in evangelical and protestant churches. Kids often prepare a special program with many songs and memorized poems about Christmas. Youth of many churches would also spend weeks beforehand, preparing special songs, sermonettes and even drama skits. Christmas is commonly used by many believers as a perfect opportunity to invite neighbors and friends to their church's services, so there is often a sermon in evangelical churches with outreach overtones. Still, Christmas is very much a family-based holiday, with lots of great food, warm fellowship and friend visits.Practicing Orthodox Christians usually fast until after the first church service on Christmas Eve. For up to 39 days, until January 6th Christmas Eve, when the first evening star appears in the sky, these believers don’t eat meat, eggs or milk and the day before Christmas they hardy eat anything at all. Christmas Eve dinner is meatless but festive: a twelve course supper in honor of each of the twelve apostles - fish, beet soup or Borsch, cabbage stuffed with millet, cooked dried fruit and much more. The most important ingredient is a special porridge called kutya. It is made of wheatberries or other grains which symbolize hope and immortality, and honey and poppy seeds which ensure happiness, success, and untroubled rest. The kutya is eaten from a common dish to symbolize unity.
In the countryside, hay is spread on the floors and tables to encourage horse feed to grow in the coming year and people make clucking noises to encourage their hens to lay eggs. People gather in churches which have been decorated with the usual Christmas trees, flowers and colored lights. A ceremony involving the blessing of the home is frequently observed. A priest visits the home accompanied by boys carrying vessels of holy water, and a little water is sprinkled in each room.
The weather is always very cold and snowy during Christmas holidays. Temperature is always in minus degrees throughout most of Russia, so anything to do with snow
skiing or ice-skating is a popular past time.Incidentally, fun and merriment of the Christmas festivities simply didn’t exist in Russia before the 18th century! Christmas passed on a solemn note, with great reserve. Was it because the Russians didn’t know how to have fun? No! Simply, the significant stimulus for the Christmas fun – the advent of the New Year – was marked here in …September! However, everything was set right by the all-powerful ruler Czar Peter I. In 1699 the Emperor issued a decree that to mark the advent of a new century, from now on it becomes the custom on January 1st for everyone to congratulate one another on the arrival of a new year. Along the more distinguished roads, and at gates and house entrances special decorations be arranged from fir tree, pine and juniper branches, a salvo be fired from small guns and rifles, flares be lit up, and other lights…
As far as lights and such illumination, Russian Empress Catherine the Great was not to be outdone. In her time, all of Europe adored fireworks. However, the Empress sought to impress one and all. According to witnesses and contemporaries, she made Russian fireworks famous the world over – they were so beautiful. Add to this
many thousand-strong processions with torches, carnivals featuring a gigantic number of dancers and musicians… And so, you can imagine what Christmas festivities were like in Russia of the end of the 18th century.The 19th century celebrated Christmas in no less a colorful manner. There was all sorts of noisy fun. With the sole difference being that a greater accent was placed on gatherings of family and friends.
Christmas... There is no other holiday like it, with its special cordial warmth, radiance and the beauty of its Biblical meaning! A holiday we anticipate every year with unfading enthusiasm. May it be the most joyous for you all!
Leonid and Leanna Regheta, Project Covenant Missionaries in St Petersburg, Russia, wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Russian Christmas CD
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