The Russians

celebrate twice the

New Year. One of the

Gregorian calendar

(January 1) and that of

the Orthodox religion

(January 14), without

forgetting the Orthodox

Christmas (7 January).

The Soviet regime forbade "comrades" to

celebrate Catholic Christmas. The Russians

took the practice to honor the birth of Christ on

the day of the Western new Year and celebrate

two holidays in one.

Christmas trees were also banned by the

regime in 1917 as "a bourgeois practice"

but people continued to decorate their

"New Year“ trees

Christmas celebrations in the Soviet era

2014

Gregorian Calendar's New Year

January 1, 2014

‘

Father Frost or Ded

Moroz, (an invented

character) , white

beard, hood and

pilgrim stick down in

the chimneys in the

evening of New Year's

Eve to deliver presents

to children, supported

by the snow daughter,

the mythical Babushka.

Father Frost and Snow Maiden march along a street during the traditional opening of the New Year

Christmas Parade in Moscow

Offering citrus fruit

around the holiday season

is a tradition for some

families.

The Russian Orthodox Church continues to celebrate all the holidays according to the Julian calendar.

A holy water cross on the forehead of a nun

The Orthodox Christmas on January

7

Janvier 7 2014 – Celebrations à la Cathédrale de Kazan, Petersburg

St. Petersburg

New Year's Eve is an explosion of joy in Russia. The hosts welcome guests according to national tradition, in agreement with their legendary hospitality. The appetizer is a deluge of champagne and vodka. Brioche bread and salt are served. Then comes the famous zakouski, dishes composed of varied tidbits, hot or cold. Koulibiak, brioche and stuffed meatloaf, fish, cabbage ... occupies a special place in the Russian festive menus.

Kulebyaka

Most

RussianChristian

s belong to the

Eastern Orthodox

Church, and it is

customary to fast

until the first

service of the

church on

Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve is meatless but festive. The most important ingredient is a

special porridge called kutya. It is made of wheatberries or other grains

that symbolize hope and immortality, and honey and poppy seeds that ensure

happiness, success, and tranquility.

Koulibiak, usually served in a flat puff pastry fish shape, includes meatloaf, fish,

cabbage ... and occupies a special place in the Russian festive menus

The main dishes of the New Year's Eve /

Christmas in Russia remain the Olivier

salad (cubes of meat and vegetables

cooked associated with mayonnaise

sauce), herring fur with cooked and

cooled beetroot and tangerines

Entertainers at the opening of the GUM ice skating rink on Red Square in Moscow (latr 2014)