Christmas in Russia

January 7 is Christmas Day by the Julian Calendar.

      For many years religious holidays  were discouraged in Russia and many Christmas traditions were forgotten. Such traditions as the decoration of a tree, festive decorations, Ded Moroz and Snegurochka, gift-giving and family gatherings have become New Year celebrations. Though Christmas is a national holiday in Russia,  it is not so popular as in other countries.  Orthodox Christmas is mainly a religious event.  On Christmas Eve (January 6) there are several long services in churches. The families then come home for traditional Christmas Eve "Holy Supper", which consists of 12(?) dishes, one to honour each of the Twelve Apostles, and then return to church for more services.

   There were many folk traditions in Russia, some of them had pagan roots.