For many Russians, Christmas celebration means a return to traditions. Russians participate in Christmas processions with torches, candles and homemade lanterns and go round the church and thus try to keep the Christmas tradition which was followed by their ancestors alive. After this, the participants sing Christmas carols and hymns within the church premise and then leave for the Christmas Eve dinner.
One of the interesting factor is that Christmas celebration in Russia takes place 13 days after the actual Christmas day, 25th December of Georgian calender. Russian Eastern Orthodox Church follows the old Julian calender and so, Russians go for fasting till 6th January, Christmas Eve when the first church service is held.
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Christmas celebration in Russia centers round the Santa figure, St. Nicholas. The feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on 6th December. Though the feast of St. Nicholas is a very popular event at the Christmas time yet the feast was banned after the Communist Revolution but the good news is that it has been restored after the fall of Communism. Thus, Christmas celebration in Russia got back its vibes very recently.
