On January 7, the entire Orthodox world celebrates the Nativity of Christ. Christians have been celebrating the holiday of the birth of the Savior of all mankind since the end of the 2nd century AD, so it is obvious that over many centuries each nation has formed its own beliefs and traditions regarding the day of Epiphany.
Historians note that for the first time Christmas became an official holiday in Russia at the end of the 10th century, after the baptism of Prince Vladimir, who decided to completely eradicate pagan customs from his people with a new faith. The holy holiday took root among the people, and already in the 17th century, fairs and nativity scenes were organized in different regions of Russia, telling the story of the birth of the Son of God.
And although the Russian people liked the rag theater brought from Poland, the October Revolution of 1917 put an end to all religious activities, bringing with it a new, atheistic order. Instead of Christmas, the celebration of the New Year was brought to the fore together with the kind wizard Santa Claus.
Despite all the prohibitions, Russians did not stop secretly celebrating the holy holiday, so in 1935 Christmas traditions were allowed and accepted as secular. It was at this time that the elegant Christmas tree became a symbol of the New Year, like Santa Claus, who received the granddaughter of the Snow Maiden.
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Only in 1991, the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR officially recognized Christmas, announcing January 7 as a day off and part of the New Year's holidays for schoolchildren. And although the holy holiday had to go through many trials over the years, the Russian people still retain the memory of the traditions of their ancestors.
In particular, in some regions of Russia, children to this day on Christmas Eve go out to carol, treat the owners of the house with kutya and sing ritual songs and praise to Christ. Also, a lot of fortune-telling and belief have been preserved that on the night of January 6-7, you can look into the future and find out your own fate.
One of the most popular is divination with cups. For this, a ring, a coin, a piece of bread, an onion, a pinch of sugar and salt are placed in 7 separate vessels, and water is poured into the seventh cup. After that, each of the participants must, with their eyes closed, choose one of the vessels, which will predict his fate for the coming months. A ring prophesies a wedding, a coin promises wealth, a piece of bread marks a life in abundance without any material difficulties, and a bow is a symbol of tears. Accordingly, cups with sugar and salt promise a person happy and sorrowful events, and water predicts a calm life without change.
Also, many girls are looking forward to Christmas Eve to tell fortunes on the betrothed. To do this, you need to sit in an empty dark room in front of a mirror, holding a candle and a towel. According to popular beliefs, after the sentences "Costumed-betrothed, come and have supper" the mirror begins to darken, and after a few minutes an image of the future groom appears on its surface. Then the girl, discerning the features, must shout "Keep away from this place!" In order to drive out the devil, who appears in the form of a narrowed one.
Nevertheless, many believers in modern Russia, respecting the cultural heritage of their ancestors, still try to avoid pagan traditions. According to the biblical texts, having come to this world, Jesus Christ was not surrounded by wealth and luxury, therefore on January 7 all Orthodox Christians, setting themselves the example of the Son of God, try to limit themselves in food and other entertainments, devoting more time to reading the gospels and going to church.
Watching the All-night Vigil, which is broadcast on Christmas Eve on federal TV channels, as well as the consecration of water and fruit in Orthodox churches, which should bring prosperity to the home and all its inhabitants, has become a new custom of believers.
However, not even for the most religious people, the holy holiday is a kind of reminder of the power of forgiveness and love for one's neighbor. Today, the head of the self-proclaimed republic of the LPR, Igor Plotnitsky, announced his intention to show nobility, who promised to release all Ukrainian prisoners of war to their homes in honor of Christmas in order to give them the opportunity to celebrate the holy day with their families.
Veronica Volkova
