Moscow: Every Snow Brings You Back to the 19th Century

Christmas is a crucial festival in the West and over time has spread throughout the world. Every year around December 25, Santa Claus, in his red gear, and carefully decorated Christmas trees can be seen everywhere. Christmas is a religious holiday established to commemorate the birth of Jesus. In fact, the Christmas of December 25 is only followed by the Catholic and Protestant religions. Many Eastern Orthodox countries and regions celebrate Christmas on January 7. Russia, the center of the Eastern Orthodox Religion, is one of them.

Russian Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Christmas) is one of the most important traditional holidays in Russia. As the capital of Russia, Moscow organizes various events every year to celebrate Christmas. As a result of the winter season, Moscow looks more than dressed to play its part, covered in snow and ice. Christmas trees scattered here and there are symbolic of health and long life. Walking down the street you can happen upon Ded Moroz and Snegurochka (Translator’s Note: Ded Moroz is a fictional character of Slavic tradition similar to that of Father Christmas. The literal translation is "Old man Frost" and is often translated as "Grandfather Frost". Snegurochka is the helper and granddaughter of Ded Moroz, and often translated as “Snow Maiden”. Snegurochka usually wears long silverblue robes and a furry cap or a snowflakelike crown.)handing out gifts. You can also see all kinds of decorations and lights of all colours illuminating the street. The scene inconceivably beautiful, like it has come straight out of a winter wonderland fairy tale.

Religion: Eastern Orthodoxy

Eastern Orthodoxy is an independent division of Christianity with nearly ten centuries of history. As the Byzantine Empire was the cradle of Eastern Orthodoxy, Eastern Orthodoxy is also known as the Byzantine faction. For the Eastern Orthodox Church, "Christmas" is the second largest church festival, only after Easter.

Date of Celebration: January 7

Christmas was established to commemorate the birth of Jesus and should be celebrated on December 25 according to religious doctrine. Russia is an Eastern Orthodox country whose traditional Christmas date is different from that of the West. Russian Eastern Orthodox Christians generally abide by the Julian calendar and celebrate Christmas on the night of January 6 until

the early morning of January 7. January 7 on the Gregorian calendar is December 25 on the Julian calendar; as a result, the Russian celebration date of Christmas was not established arbitrarily. As this date is also the time of the winter solstice, Christianity purposefully set it as the date for Christmas. The Christians also called this date the “Birth of Christ.”

Stop 1: Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is the largest church in Moscow and one of the highest and largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world. It is the main place of celebration for Christmas in Moscow. From the evening of January 6 to the early morning of January 7, Russians who follow Eastern Orthodoxy come to celebrate the Eastern Orthodox Christmas. They pray for several hours from about 10 pm and finish in the early hours of January 7. Russia's domestic dignitaries and celebrities will also come here to participate in the pre-Christmas vigil.

Stop 2: Manezhnaya Square

Outside the Kremlin’s city walls in Moscow lies the beautiful Alexander Garden. Atop this garden is the Manezhnaya Square. During the Eastern Orthodox Christmas, Manezhnaya Square is particularly a lively place with many activities being organized there. During the Christmas season this year, a giant apple cherry pie, 3.5 meters long and 2.5 meters wide, made of 25 kilograms of flour and ingredients, was placed here for free distribution to the masses to celebrate the holiday season.