The Stubborn Side of Persecution
Why Russians Celebrate Christmas in January
In a quiet stance of defiance against the Bolsheviks, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas in January. This is the backlash of religious persecution.
Russia has been a Christian country for over 1000 years and the religion and its festivals mean a lot to the large number of Orthodox Christians in the country. Yet while most Christians celebrate Christmas on the 25th December, Russian Orthodox Christians don’t celebrate it until 13 days later.
Religion in Russia
Since the breakdown of communism, the Russian people have enjoyed more religious freedom. Many used to be atheists and were not allowed to celebrate religious festivals openly. Increasingly, restrictions on religious freedom have been lifted and many are now searching for spirituality of some sort.
Although some have drifted towards extreme groups or totalitarian sects, recognised religions are increasingly popular.
How Christmas is Celebrated in Russia
Christmas is a very important celebration for most Russians and although many are relatively poor, if they can afford a tree many will buy one. Christmas is very much a family occasion, as well as religious and children will often join adults in decorating the tree.
They will also exchange gifts, although they are increasingly non-luxury presents due to the low incomes of most families, with the emphasis being on thoughtfulness and kindness rather than extravagance.
The value of gifts varies between families but the New Rich – the term given to New Russians – often spend thousands of pounds on presents.
Christmas is usually marked by a festive dinner which again is a family occasion. Food is often lavish and plentiful, although may be slightly more simple in poorer families.
Why 7th January?
When the new Bolshevik government adopted the Gregorian calendar after the 1917 Russian revolution, the Russian Orthodox Church disagreed with the authoritarian rule being imposed on the population.
The Bolsheviks were becoming increasingly involved in matters of the Church and as a protest, as well as maintaining their older traditions, the Church decided to keep the old Julian calendar rather than be forced into converting to a Gregorian calendar along with an increasingly oppressed society.
The Strength of Religion
This story, if nothing else, indicates the strength and resilience of religion in the face of adversity. With a harsh new government in control of the country the population was quickly under control, yet the might of the Church and its desire to persevere has lasted not only into the Bolshevik reign but has survived longer than the reign itself.
This is not merely tenacity but a quiet backlash against a country, a government and a brutal force which extended from Russia across Eastern Europe, taking millions of lives and suppressing countless millions more in a brutal and vindictive regime.
