S Rozhdestvam
The official Christmas in Russia is celebrated on January 7th (their New Years), however some are now celebrating on December 25th. Some people fast on Christmas Eve until the first star has appeared in the sky. People then eat 'sochivo' ( a dish made from wheat or rice with honey and fruit) as well as a porridge called kutya. The Russian word for Christmas Eve 'sochelnik' comes from the word 'sochiva'. Once people eat they then go to to midnight services. This is when 'Father Frost' ( 'Ded Moroz') brings presents to the children. He is always accompanied by his Granddaughter, Snegurochka. On New Year's Eve children hold hands and make a circle around the Christmas tree and call for Snegurochka and Ded Moroz. When they appear the star and other lights on the Christmas tree light up !
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More information on Christmas in Russia
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