When is Christmas celebrated in Russia in 2019, January 6 or 7:
However, together with the New Year holidays, in total, Russians at the beginning of 2019 will rest for eight days in a row. Earlier, we wrote in detail about the rest for the New Year holidays and when you should go to work in January 2019.
In Russia, the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar, and therefore Christmas 2019 is celebrated on the night from Sunday, January 6, 2019 to Monday, January 7, 2019.
The evening before Christmas is called Christmas Eve, it begins at the same time as the first star rises and marks the end of the Advent Lent 2018-2019.
Date of Christmas
Christmas is one of the most beloved holidays in our country, which is celebrated not only as an Orthodox celebration, but also as a secular event.
Although Christmas is not officially included in the list of public holidays, this day has a special status - the holiday is a public holiday at the federal level. The law on the transfer of days off does not apply to this holiday, however, in Russia, Christmas is included in the traditional New Year holidays from the first to the tenth (ninth) of January.
Christmas is a holiday with a long history, but it was not always celebrated at the usual time for us. Until 1918, Russia, along with most of the countries of Europe, celebrated on December 25, a week before the New Year. With the transition to modern chronology, the holiday began to be celebrated in January. Due to the fact that the Gregorian calendar in our country was adopted much later than in other countries, there was a gap of 14 days in the celebration.
history of the holiday
In the Orthodox tradition, Christmas is one of the twelve holidays, literally topping this list. Although in Catholicism this holiday is considered the most important in the religious calendar.
Christmas is a holiday in memory of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the coming Savior of all mankind. The story describing the biblical event is described in detail in the Gospel.
It started with the decree of Caesar on the census. Joseph, the husband of Mary, the future Mother of Christ, was from Bethlehem, and together with his wife went to his homeland. Arrived in the city, he could not find a place to sleep, and was forced to hide from the night cold in a barn where the sheep were housed.
Here the immaculate Virgin Mary gave birth to a Son, and the newborn baby Joseph laid in a manger on fresh straw. The shepherds were the first to greet the new Tsar, followed by the magi. Magi or Eastern sages set off on a journey in search of the Savior, following the star, today called Bethlehem. The star lit up exactly nine months before Christmas, at the moment of the Immaculate Conception, when the Angel brought the good news to the Virgin Mary - today this holiday is called the Annunciation.
Christmas traditions
Today, Christmas and New Year are so closely connected and intertwined with each other that the traditions of one holiday are practically inseparable from the other. However, in fact, everything that surrounds us this winter weekend filled with warmth and light comes from the old Christmas, the one that was celebrated a century ago.
Christmas tree
The main sign of the holiday is the tree. It is she, the fluffy green beauty, who stands in every house, every apartment. Not only children, but also adults dress it up with pleasure - the glossy sides of the balls, the soft rustle of tinsel, the sparkling lights of garlands ... The tradition of decorating the Christmas tree was brought to Russia by Alexandra Fedorovna, the wife of Nicholas I. The first Christmas tree appeared in the empire at the end of 1817, on the eve of Christmas - the Grand Duchess ordered to install a Christmas tree in her private quarters for her children. By the way, even the most New Year's song about the Christmas tree - remember, "A Christmas tree was born in the forest" - was written just in time for Christmas.
Presents
What is a Christmas tree without gifts? The tradition of putting boxes wrapped in elegant paper under fluffy green branches appeared in 1818 almost along with the Christmas tree. It was introduced by Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, just like the custom of installing the Christmas tree itself. Moreover, gifts were prepared for all guests, and not just for the children of the emperor. Of course, this does not mean that no one gave gifts for Christmas before the beginning of the 19th century, but until that year there was no tradition of putting them under the Christmas tree in advance.
What was customary to give in those distant times? Just like on Christmas 2019, there were no restrictions on the holiday of the century before last. A variety of things could act as a Christmas gift - from exquisite decorations to small trinkets.
Father Frost
Speaking of the Christmas tree, one cannot fail to mention one more character, traditionally standing under the Christmas tree, surrounded by a mountain of gifts. Santa Claus is a traditional Christmas character, much later, already in Soviet times, who became a constant guest of New Year's morning performances.
As a Christmas character, Santa Claus appeared all in the same 19th century. Initially, he was a kind of Russian variation of the German Saint Nicholas, distributing gifts to children. For several years, the image of Santa Claus has changed and turned into the kind old man we know today, who brings a holiday to every home. Unlike the European or American Santa Claus, our native Russian Father Frost gives gifts to all children, not just those who have behaved well during the year.
Festive table for Christmas
Celebration of Christmas in Russia begins on January 6th with the rising of the first star, when the whole family sits down at the table with a gala dinner. But this evening you can only consume lenten dishes, which should be exactly twelve on the table, including juicy.
But the next morning, when it will be the 7th and the real Christmas will come, you can eat everything that was forbidden for the entire period of the Advent. In particular meat dishes such as:
- aspic
- homemade baked sausage
- roast
- ham
- pate
- cabbage rolls with meat
- blood sausage
Sweet yeast pastries (pies) were especially popular, in the process of preparing which a secret was hidden. A coin was placed in one of the pies, and whoever finds it will have money all year round. Therefore, none of the family members turned away from the opportunity to taste sweets.
Traditionally, on the eve of the holiday, hay was laid under the tablecloth, as a reminder that the Savior of the world was born not in the royal chambers, but in an inn in a barn in a sheep manger.
Christmas Orthodox Traditions
Christmas, like any other great church holiday, is rich in traditions and rituals that have come down from antiquity.
One of the main traditions of Christmas is caroling. Starting from the evening on the eve of the holiday, children and youth go from house to house and apartment, announcing with ritual songs about the birth of Christ. Also, carolers wish happiness and well-being to the owners of the house. For this, they are generously presented with sweets, pies and money.
In the villages, mummers go caroling with a nativity scene or with an eight-pointed Bethlehem star, which they make on their own. It is worn by the eldest among carolers, who is called a star.
It is not customary for Orthodox Christians to celebrate Christmas alone, as this is a traditional family holiday. Children go to visit their parents, grandchildren go to grandparents, matchmakers visit each other. You should always have breakfast with your family, and only then go to guests and friends.
Since the post is already over, from this day booths, discos, fun and weddings began. The festive mood was added by the New Year tree, which was still showing off in houses and apartments.
Do's and Don'ts on Christmas Day
At Christmas, it is imperative to go to church and endure the entire morning service. On this day, you should greet with the words: “Christ was born” - “Praise him”!
On this day, you need to sing, walk and have fun, glorifying the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. But before you go to celebrate outside the house, the first thing you need to do is sit down at the table with your family.
Any purchase made on this day will be successful. If it is clothes, then it will be worn for a long time, and if it is kitchen utensils or a household item, but it will last longer than the manufacturer's stated period.
Of what cannot be done, it is worth noting the following:
- You can not go fishing and hunting. They say that from Christmas until Epiphany, nature itself protects animals, so you can’t kill them so as not to attract misfortune.
- You can not manage in the yard and in the house, as well as do household chores.
- You can not quarrel, swear and sort things out, and even more so at the table.
- You can't wear old clothes. At least something in the outfit should be new.
- It is impossible to ignore requests for help if the poor and infirm have applied for it.
- Girls cannot tell fortunes, because fortune-telling is allowed only on Christmas time, which will begin the next day and last until Epiphany.
It is also said that one should not drink water at the dinner table, as this can attract bad luck that will last seven years. But nowhere in the church rules and charters is this mentioned, so this conclusion is an ordinary superstition that has nothing to do with religion.
Weather signs for Christmas
Christmas is a public holiday, which means it is a public holiday. In 2019, it falls on a Monday. In this way, Christmas will be celebrated in Russia for three whole days, starting on Saturday, January 5th.
Video about the traditions of celebrating the Nativity of Christ
All about Christmas
Christmas Eve is called Christmas Eve. In Russian, the name comes from the word "sochivo". It means soaked grains of wheat - the prototype of the well-known kutya. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6th.
On Christmas Eve, an All-Night Vigil is served with Great Compline, during which prophecies about Christmas are sung and read.
Around midnight, Matins begins, which is performed according to the order of the great holidays. On it, fragments of the Gospel of the Nativity are read and the canon "Christ is born ..." is sung - one of the most beautiful canons in Orthodox worship. Then the festive Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
The All-Night Vigil is a liturgical service that consists of Vespers and Matins, which received these names according to the time of their performance. Before the holidays, morning and evening services are combined into the so-called "all-night vigil", that is, a prayer that continues all night. Such a prayer happens only twice a year - at Christmas and Easter. Before Christmas, in the all-night vigil they serve not Vespers, but Great Compline: it is performed after Vespers served on Christmas Eve, hence the name.
What to cook for Christmas:
It is customary to put 12 dishes on the Christmas table, and Kutya decorates the table. Lent ends on January 6 and Christmas Eve begins.
Each hostess prefers her own recipe for cooking Kutya. There are a great many recipes. The simplest: they take the cereal and soak it overnight, then boil it until cooked and add all sorts of sweets. So, for example, you can take rice, honey and marmalade, as well as millet poppy and honey, some even cook kutya from barley and millet groats. You can add marmalade or candied fruits to Kutya.
Also on the Christmas table it is customary to serve Uzvar - dried fruit compote.
On the very day of Christmas, believers celebrate and feast - they “break the fast”, it is already allowed to eat not only lenten, but also “quick” food.
Various pork dishes are traditional on the Christmas table: jelly, roasted pig, stuffed pork head, roast. Baked poultry and fish, fried and baked meat in large pieces are also served on the Christmas table, since the design of the Russian oven made it possible to successfully cook large-sized dishes. Finely chopped meat and offal were boiled in pots along with traditional porridge. Various pies are also stuffed with meat: kalachi, cheesecakes, koloboks, kulebyaks, kurniks, pies, etc. Casseroles and pancakes are prepared. In addition to meat fillings, a variety of vegetable, fruit, mushroom, fish, cottage cheese and mixed fillings are prepared.
Folk traditions of celebrating Christmas time from Christmas to Epiphany are rooted in the Slavic customs of celebrating the winter solstice. The obligatory attributes of the holiday were dressing up (dressing up using skins, masks and horns), caroling (visiting houses by a group of fellow villagers who performed “favorable” sentences and songs addressed to the owners of the house, for which they received refreshments), carol songs, or carols, youth games and divination.
Christmas time began on Christmas Eve with a dinner with Christmas kutya and porridge, a pie with pretzels, even for the holiday they baked animal figures from wheat dough, which decorated tables, windows of the hut and sent them as gifts to relatives and friends.
When the family gathered at the table, the elders remembered the year - everything good and bad in the past year, informs Rosregistr.ru. At the end of the meal, the children took part of the remaining kutya to grandparents, as well as to the poor, so that they could celebrate Christmas. In some areas, food and tablecloths were not removed from the table until morning, believing that the souls of the deceased parents would come to the table to also eat.
Then the mummers, dressed in sheepskin coats with wool up and animal masks, in order to be unrecognized, arranged dances in houses and on the streets, played skits and whole performances. At the end of the 17th century, the crib theater penetrated from Poland to Russia: scenes about the birth of Jesus Christ and other plots were played in a special box-crib with the help of dolls.
Echoes of pagan beliefs were also manifested in the fact that it is customary to guess at Christmas time. In some villages, straw was burned at Svyatki - according to legend, the dead ancestors at that moment came to warm themselves by the fire. The Church, not approving witchcraft superstitions and pagan rites, assimilated "harmless" customs, and they organically entered the life of the people.
By Christmas, the owners always cleaned the house, washed in the bath, laid a clean tablecloth, stocked up new clothes, which they put on at the beginning of the day, and invited lonely people to Christmas dinner. But in some places, superstitions associated with the holiday were also widespread: they did not drink plain water at breakfast, since it was believed that a person who drank water on Christmas morning would be thirsty for the whole summer.
What not to do at Christmas:
Under fear of all sorts of troubles, on Christmas it was impossible to bend, weave or sew anything. The legs of the dining table were tied to each other with a rope so that the cattle would not run away from the herd. The remains of the evening meal were taken out of the fence - "so that the wolves do not harm the peasant cattle."
A folk proverb says: Whoever slaughters cattle on Christmas Day will die in three years.
You cannot lend on Christmas Eve anything that is connected with fire, for example, flint, matches, a lighter, a bucket of coal or firewood, etc., otherwise misfortune will befall you.
Never sew, wash your hair, wash or lend on the three-day holy holidays (Christmas, Easter and Trinity), otherwise you will make yourself tears and poverty.
On Christmas Eve, bread, salt and money are not borrowed from home, otherwise all good things will go past your hands. Do not cut hair and do not spin wool. Do not wash or boil clothes. Believers must finish all the dirty work by this day on Maundy Thursday, and whoever “pulls” dirt on Christmas Eve will sit in it all year for this.
You can’t sit at the Christmas table in mourning, that is, in black clothes - you’ll call trouble.
If on this bright day a dog howls in your yard, then be in trouble. To get rid of it, you need to immediately go up to the dog, untie it and say: “As the rope does not hold you, so the trouble would not hold on to my house!”.
Do not buy ropes on January 8, on the second day of Christmas, so that there will never be hanged or strangled people in your family. Do not cook or eat jelly on this day, so as not to invite the deceased to the house.
On the ninth of January, on the third day of Christmas, do not chop wood until sunset.
What to do for Christmas:
According to popular beliefs, in order for your loved ones to be happy and healthy for a whole year, on the feast of the Nativity of Christ on January 7, ask the oldest family member to treat all relatives with milk. Bringing milk to someone, he should say every time: “The Lord was born, the people were baptized. Be cheerful and healthy. Amen".
On the eve of Christmas, in the old days, food was taken out and left for needy people or treats were distributed - it was believed that in this way all deceased ancestors who did not have time to eat before their death satisfied their hunger. After the festive feast, the food was not removed from the table, so that the souls of dead relatives would eat the festive food, and for this they would pray for you.
In that family where there is no peace and harmony, on Christmas night they put a bucket in the frost, and in the morning they put it on fire and say: “The ice will melt, the water will boil, and [so-and-so] soul will ache for me.” This water is given to the husband to wash or in the form of tea / soup, and also wash the husband's linen in it. Holy Christmas water always helps a woman's trouble.
Ask God for Christmas what you really need. Ask seventy-seven times and you will be given. Whoever asks God for something on Christmas at three o'clock in the morning, it will be given to him.
If on Christmas night you look out for a flying star in the sky and make a wish, then it will certainly come true.
On January 7, in the cold, jump out into the street lightly and, as soon as goosebumps appear on your body, say: “There are a lot of pimples on my skin, so that I also have so much money.”
Notes for Christmas:
♦ If a person in a drunken state is the first to show up at your house, the whole coming year will be in noise and quarrels. If a woman crosses your threshold first, then this is to gossip and failure. If a man or a boy - to well-being. If an old man or an old woman - to a long life. If a bird knocks on your window - to amazing news. If a beggar or a beggar comes to you - to loss and need. If several people appear at once - to a rich life.
♦ If a man comes to you on Christmas morning, wear plain clothes that day, if a woman wears a colored dress, so that the whole year goes well.
♦ When the family sits down at the table at Christmas and when the first star appears, it starts to dine, then an unmarried girl or an unmarried guy from this family, taking the first non-lean piece in his mouth, should keep it on his tongue and not swallow until, going out into the street, accidentally will not hear any name from people passing by. It was believed that the groom or the bride would have the same name. People say that this sign has come true more than once.
♦ Cucumbers will be firm and crispy if you pickle them exactly on the same day of the week as Christmas this year. For this purpose, a good housewife keeps in a secluded place the salt taken on Maundy Thursday.
♦ It is a good, good omen, if during the Christmas feast a domestic cat sits under the table - this means that no one will die this year from all those sitting at the table.
♦ If two people come to your house on Christmas morning, there will be no death, divorce and separation in your house for a year.
♦ If someone spills or breaks something in your house on this day, then the whole year will be restless for your family.
♦ If a person going to church at Christmas stumbles, then in twelve years, to the day, he will get sick. To prevent this from happening, you must immediately say: “I’m not going to the devil, but to God, He will save me.”
♦ On the ninth of January, be sure to visit your godfathers and parents.
♦ A child who takes his first steps on January 10 will be healthy, beautiful and live a long life.
♦ If a sick person sneezes loudly on the third day of Christmas, he will soon recover and live for a long time. If a person who is seriously ill talks about pancakes or horses that day, then he will soon depart to another world.
♦ On the tenth of January, do not put the dough or sourdough.
♦ Don't give your husband a towel on January 11th, otherwise he will start to loosen his hands.
♦ Don't open the door immediately after your doorbell knocks or rings on January 11th. Wait until they knock or call a second time, otherwise you will invite illness into the house.
♦ If Christmas falls on a Monday, many men will die that year. If Christmas coincides with Tuesday, an even number of guests are called to the table so as not to invite poverty into the house. If the Nativity of Christ falls on a Saturday, then many old people will die this year before the next Christmas.
♦ If a midwife was called to a woman in labor and she gave birth to a child at Christmas, then the midwife would never take even a penny for her labors, moreover, she was obliged to become a godmother to the baby. This custom was never violated, the old people knew: whoever takes money for childbirth will spend it on a coffin for himself.
Merry Christmas greetings:
♦ Merry Christmas! Happy bright day!
Let this day be lucky in everything!
Let joy look into your house,
The car is new - in the garage,
Profitable work - to the house,
And there are a lot of kids in it!
♦ Let the Christmas miracle
Give you warmth
May it never be bad
Meet every day with kindness!
♦ The star of goodness and magic lit up ‒
Merry holy Christmas!
God bless and people help!
May the starlight in the soul not fade away!
May the house be filled with happiness and wealth!
Love, health, peace! Merry Christmas!
♦ Let the night sparkle with magic,
A flock of snowflakes is rushing up.
We congratulate you on Christmas,
We wish you smiles, joy.
The flow of divine love
Let it flow with wonderful light,
And the Lord bless you
Health, happiness and success!
♦ We wish you a Merry Christmas
Smiles, sincere laughter,
Good health, success
And a lot of good things.
Let the blood play in the heart
And the joy lasts forever.
And may they be with you forever
Hope, faith and love!
♦ Merry Christmas
And I want to wish from the bottom of my heart
So that life is full of happiness,
So that adversity and sorrows do not know!
I wish you to be fulfilled
All your hopes and dreams
To pure love and tenderness
You can always enjoy!
♦ May the bright holiday of Christmas
Everything you dreamed about will come true!
May there be a lot of joy, goodness in the house,
And let the heart not know sadness!
I wish you many fabulous miracles,
The warmth of love, spiritual purity!
And let the snowflakes fall from the sky
Keeping the peace of heavenly beauty!
♦ It's Christmas again ‒
Forces of Heaven triumph!
On this day Christ came
To save our world from evil.
Glory to Him forever
Conqueror of darkness!
Congratulations with all my heart
With this great joy!
♦ Candle flicker warms the house
And sparkles with gold
When a magical Christmas
The Lord will come to light!
He gave his life for us,
Must remember this
And what bequeathed to the people -
Perform diligently!
May you keep your peace
From shutters to threshold
enduring love,
Simple faith in God!
♦ A star lit up - Christ was born -
And the world was lit up with love!
May happiness enter every home!
Happy bright Christmas!
♦ Christ has come to us today,
To teach love to people.
Friends, let's celebrate
And let's get a little better!
♦ Let the snowflake ring,
announcing birth,
And fill with delight
Your mood!
After all, today is Salvation,
Love celebration ‒
Saint comes
Christ Christmas!
♦ When the snows cover the ground,
And Christmas will come again
Raise a glass for happiness
For peace, for friendship, for love!
And so that without grief and doubt
May you have many bright days!
Save comfort, family peace
And the respect of friends!
♦ Merry Christmas,
What is already knocking on the house!
Open wide the doors
You Love, Hope, Faith!
fur trees
Smell all over the house
Every needle
Whispers: "Merry Christmas!"
Let resentment and loss
Fly away like leaves!
Let luck enter the door
On the bright holiday of Christmas!
♦ Congratulations on Christmas!
May a miracle happen in your life!
May joy, inspiration and goodness
They will be able to live in your house!
♦ Today is Christ's birthday ‒
The good news is spreading across the planet!
I wish this Christmas
Consent and joy without end!
♦ Happy New Year!
Happy New Year's Eve!
Happy New Year's Eve!
Merry Christmas!
Let everything be in order in the family,
And luck will be near!
May health be good
Happiness - bright, incomparable!
♦ Christmas has come to your house,
Happiness is all around!
Let smiles hover in it
And I also wish you:
Kindness and beauty
So that all dreams come true
Let health not fail
And let luck come!
On this day before Christmas, the eve or eve of the holiday, Orthodox Christians prepare for the great day.
Christmas Eve ends the 40-day Christmas (Filippov) fast. On this day, the main preparations for Christmas are made.
Other names of the holiday: Holy Evening, Sochevnik, Eve of the Nativity of Christ, Kolyada, Christmas Eve.
The eve of the holiday is colloquially called Christmas Eve, or Sochevnik. This name comes from a special dish made from wheat, nuts and honey - sochiva.
The tradition of eating this dish on the eve of Christmas was born in memory of Daniel and the three youths, who, according to the Gospel, "ate from the seeds of the earth, so as not to be defiled by a pagan meal."
History of Christmas Eve
In the Orthodox Church, the celebration of the eve of the Nativity of Christ was established in the 4th century. In the V-VIII centuries, sacred hymns were written, which are used for Christmas services. At that time, the Royal Hours were performed in the temples. It was customary to proclaim many years to the tsar, his house, and all Orthodox Christians.
The name of the holiday comes from the word "sochivo", or "juicy". Both of these dishes were prepared on Christmas Eve. Sochivo was soaked grains of wheat or barley, to which the juice of poppy seeds, sunflower, hemp, mustard, and nuts was added. Sochni - bread cakes in which holes were made for the eyes and used for divination. Through the mask looked at the street. It was believed that if a good person passes, then the year will be successful, and if a bad one, vice versa.
What is the Christmas Eve before Christmas?
Where did the name of this holiday come from? It turns out that from the word "sochivo" - this is a dish that was prepared specially on this day to treat all households. To do this, the hostess soaked scalded grains of cereals (wheat, barley, lentils, rice) in seed juice (poppy, almond or nut). The dish turned out lean. Oil was not put into it. Only the addition of a spoonful of honey was allowed to make the meal more nutritious. Sometimes it was replaced with kutya.
People used Sochivo on this day in imitation of the biblical prophet Daniel.
This parable refers to the Old Testament times. The pagan Julian the Apostate, wanting to show off the believing fasting people, ordered all the food in the market to be sprinkled with the blood of animals sacrificed to idols. Then the prophet Daniel ordered his youth-novices to eat soaked grains and dried fruits. So the believers were able to avoid taking a defiled pagan meal.
Traditions and rituals for Christmas Eve
The main traditions on January 6: 12 Lenten dishes are prepared, the main of which is kutya; go to visit with treats; guess; use a charm ("didukh").
On Christmas Eve, Orthodox Christians attend church services: an all-night vigil and liturgy.
From the very morning, the hostesses carry out a thorough cleaning, throw away the rubbish, after which they start preparing a festive dinner. Traditionally, 12 Lenten dishes are served at the table.
In some houses, it is customary to pay special attention to the decoration of the Christmas table. The hostesses cover it with a new tablecloth, under which they put a bundle of hay - a symbol of a manger. Banknotes and garlic cloves are placed at the corners of the table, which symbolize the health and well-being of family members. An ax is placed under the table, on which those seated put their feet in order to have good health and spirit. Arrangements of candles and spruce branches are placed in the center.
The meal begins with a prayer in which they glorify Christ, ask for well-being and happiness for all those present. First of all, they taste kutya, after which they proceed to the rest of the dishes.
On Christmas Eve in the villages, young people gather in large groups, paint their faces, put on fancy costumes, go from house to house and sing carols. An important attribute of such an action is the Star of Bethlehem, which is made of colored paper and ribbons, and an icon is placed in the center. In ritual songs, it is customary to glorify Jesus Christ, the family of the owner of the house. Caroling guests are presented with sweets, pastries and money.
On Christmas Eve, you should ask for forgiveness from the people you offended, forgive all your enemies.
Signs and sayings for Christmas Eve
If on Christmas Eve the sky is abundantly strewn with stars, then this year a rich harvest should be expected.
On the eve of the Nativity of Christ, it is customary to light candles in the house or kindle a fireplace in order to attract prosperity and good luck to the house.
You can’t wear old dark-colored clothes for a festive dinner, otherwise the year will pass in tears and difficulties.
An even number of people should be present at the ceremonial table. If it is odd, then the housewives put one extra set of appliances.
On Christmas Eve, you need to go outside and look at the sky. If you see a shooting star and make a wish, it will surely come true.
If a snowstorm broke out before Christmas Eve, the bees will swarm well.
On a holiday, a wax candle was placed on a table with a white tablecloth and lit with the words: “Burn, candle, righteous sun, shine on the souls in paradise and on us, the living, warm the mother earth, our cattle, our fields.” If the light burns merrily, it means that the year will be prosperous and fruitful, if it blinks and trembles, you will have to tighten your belts.
On a holiday, frost on trees - to good bread.
What to eat on Christmas Eve
January 6 is the strictest day of the 40-day Advent fast. Believers are only allowed to drink water. A meal can be taken after the first star rises in the sky, after which it is allowed to eat sochivo - wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins. In folk tradition, it is customary to serve other fasting dishes for dinner.
What Not to Do on Christmas Eve
It is forbidden to work on Christmas Eve evening.
On this holiday, you can not quarrel and sort things out.
It is not allowed to eat before the appearance of the first star in the sky.
On this day, you can not be greedy.
Festive dinner
According to folk custom, the housewives put 12 Lenten dishes on the table, which personify the 12 apostles. The main dish is kutya (sochivo). It is boiled from whole grains of rice or wheat, with the addition of poppy seeds, honey, walnuts, dried apricots, prunes, raisins. Also on the table are baked fish, vegetable salads and stews, mushroom soup, lean borscht, donuts, pies, dumplings, cabbage rolls with mushrooms, pickles. For dessert, they eat rolls with poppy seeds and nuts, honey cakes, gingerbread, berry and fruit jelly, apples baked with honey and nuts.
The traditional Christmas drink is dried fruits and honey. The combination of kutya and uzvar on the tables is a symbol of eternal life, the birth and death of Jesus. On Christmas Eve, no alcohol is consumed at dinner.
How to make juicy?
Our great-grandmothers knew what to cook for Christmas Eve. These ancient recipes for preparing Christmas dishes are not forgotten. And today, any housewife, if desired, will be able to cook juicy.
Here is the recipe for this dish:
1 faceted glass of wheat grains.
100 g poppy.
100 g of walnut kernels.
1 or 2 tablespoons of liquid honey.
a little sugar.
Place wheat grains in a wooden mortar and grind with a pestle until the shell of the grains comes off. In this case, you need to add a little warm boiled water to the mass. Then the husk is removed by washing the grains. Wheat is poured with water, put on fire and boiled until tender. It turns out crumbly porridge. In a wooden mortar, poppy seeds are ground in the same way until poppy milk appears. Add it to the porridge, put honey, sugar there and mix thoroughly. At the end, crushed walnut kernels are put into the mass. Sochivo is ready.
Festive worship in the church
On the eve of the Nativity and Theophany, a service is performed, consisting of the Great (Royal) Hours with the reading of the Gospel, a short follow-up of the "Illustrative", during which the clergy on the pulpit read entrance prayers and put on vestments, and great vespers with the reading of proverbs in conjunction with the Liturgy of Basil the Great, On Epiphany Christmas Eve, at the end of the Liturgy, after the prayer beyond the ambo, the Great Blessing of the Water is performed.
If Christmas Eve (both Christmas Eve and Epiphany) falls on Saturday or Sunday, then the service of the Royal Hours with the Pictorial and Great Vespers is transferred to Friday, and in this case the liturgy is not added to them (that is, on Friday the liturgy is not performed in principle), on Christmas Eve itself, in this case, the liturgy of John Chrysostom is served (water blessing on Epiphany Christmas Eve is still performed), and on the holiday itself (Christmas or Epiphany), in this case, the liturgy of Basil the Great is performed
According to the site "Yaropolch"
Expelling our first parents from paradise, God Himself promised them a Savior (Gen. 3:15), and repeatedly repeated this promise (Gen. 22:18; 2 Sam. 7:12-13) in order to prepare people for His acceptance. All transformations and prophecies relating to the incarnation of the Son of God were fulfilled.
Born in a den, the Infant, wrapped in swaddling clothes, was laid in a manger, which marks the deep humiliation to which a sinful person descended, in need of the heavenly help of the God-man. “Rise up in the manger, the Lord, that the wordlessness of mankind will be corrected. In a wordless manger, the Virgin, God's Word without beginning, believes Thee, for me to resolve the wordlessness of the future, even if I lift the serpent's envy: wrap yourself in swaddling clothes, as if you would break the captivity of my sins.
But neither the darkness of the night, nor the nativity scene, nor the manger, nor the shrouds - these first images of His humility and humiliation - could hide the Divine glory of the Infant. The Bethlehem shepherds and the wise men of the East, that is, “simple and wise men,” immediately learned about the birth of the Child. The shepherds, who came to the den after the appearance of the Angel with the host of heaven, hurried to Bethlehem and were the first to bow to the Infant Lord.
Before His birth, a wonderful star appeared in the east of Bethlehem. With her appearance, she announced to the world that a star has shone from Jacob and a rod is rising from Israel, and smashes the princes of Moab and crushes all the sons of Seth (Num. 24, 17). An unusual star led from the east, to the worship of the newborn King of the Jews, the Magi, or wise men, who, falling before him, bowed and offered Him gifts - gold, incense and myrrh. Gold - as to the King, frankincense - as to God, myrrh - "as to a man to death."
According to the saying of the Church, not only shepherds and sorcerers recognized and confessed Christ the Savior, but every creature brought a gift to the born Lord: Angels - singing, heaven - a star, shepherds - a miracle, wise men - gifts, earth - a nativity scene, desert - a manger, people - Mother Virgin, paganism is the beginning of Christianity in its magi.
So, in the Bethlehem den, through the humiliation of the born Savior, she shone.
The establishment, like other multi-day fasts, dates back to the ancient times of Christianity. Since the fourth century, St. Ambrose of Mediodalan, Philastrius, and Blessed Augustine mention the Nativity Fast in their works. In the fifth century, Leo the Great wrote about the antiquity of the Nativity Fast.
Initially, some Christians lasted seven days, others a little more. At the council of 1166, which was under the Patriarch Luke of Constantinople and the Byzantine emperor Manuel, all Christians were supposed to fast before the great feast of the Nativity of Christ for forty days.
Patriarch Balsamon of Antioch wrote that “the most holy patriarch himself said that although the days of these fasts (of the Dormition and Christmas. - Ed.) are not determined by the rule, we are forced, however, to follow the unwritten church tradition and must fast ... from the 15th day of November.”
The Advent Fast is the last multi-day fast of the year. It begins on November 15 (28 according to the new style) and lasts until December 25 (January 7), lasts for forty days and therefore is called the Fortecost in the Church Charter, just like Great Lent. Since the conspiracy for fasting falls on the day of remembrance of St. Apostle Philip (November 14 old style), then this post is called Filippov.
Why was the Advent Post established?
The Advent fast is a winter fast, it serves for us to consecrate the last part of the year as a mysterious renewal of spiritual unity with God and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ.
Leo the Great writes: “The very preservation of abstinence is sealed by four times, so that during the year we would know that we constantly need purification and that when life is scattered, we should always try to exterminate sin by fasting and alms, which is multiplied by the frailty of the flesh and the impurity of desires.”
According to Leo the Great, the Nativity fast is a sacrifice to God for the harvested fruits. “Just as the Lord has generousd us with the fruits of the earth,” writes the saint, “so we should also be generous to the poor during this fast.”
According to Simeon of Thessaloniki, “the fast of the Nativity of Fortecost depicts the fast of Moses, who, having fasted for forty days and forty nights, received the inscription of the words of God on stone tablets. And we, fasting for forty days, contemplate and accept the living word from the Virgin, inscribed not on stones, but incarnated and born, and partake of His Divine flesh.
The Advent fast was established so that by the day of the Nativity of Christ we cleanse ourselves by repentance, prayer and fasting, so that with a pure heart, soul and body we can reverently meet the Son of God who has appeared in the world and, in addition to the usual gifts and sacrifices, offer Him our pure heart and a desire to follow His teachings.
When did they start celebrating Christmas?
The beginning of this feast dates back to the time of the Apostles. The Apostolic Constitutions say: “Keep, brethren, the feast days, and, first, the day of the Nativity of Christ, which you may celebrate on the 25th day of the tenth month” (desembri). It is also said there: “Let them celebrate the Day of the Nativity of Christ, on which the unexpected grace is given to people by the birth of the Word of God from the Virgin Mary for the salvation of the world.”
In the second century, the day of the Nativity of Christ, December 25 (Julian calendar), is indicated by Clement of Alexandria.
In the third century, the feast of the Nativity of Christ is mentioned by St. Hippolyte.
During the persecution of Christians by Diocletian, at the beginning of the fourth century, in 303, 20,000 Nicodemian Christians were burned in the temple on the very feast of the Nativity of Christ.
From the time when the Church receives freedom and becomes dominant in the Roman Empire, we find the feast of the Nativity of Christ in the entire Universal Church, as can be seen from the teachings of St. Ephraim the Syrian, St. Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, St. Ambrose, John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church of the fourth century on the feast of the Nativity of Christ.
Nicephorus Callistus, a writer of the seventeenth century, writes in his church history that the emperor Justinian in the sixth century established the celebration of the Nativity of Christ throughout the earth.
In the fifth century Patriarch Anatoly of Constantinople, in the seventh Sophronius and Andrew of Jerusalem, in the eighth St. John of Damascus, Cosmas of Maium and Herman, Patriarch of Tsaregrad, in the ninth, the Monk Cassia and others, whose names are unknown to us, wrote many sacred hymns for the feast of the Nativity of Christ, which are still heard in churches to glorify the brightly celebrated event.
What can you eat on Christmas Day
The Charter of the Church teaches what should be abstained from during fasts – “all devoutly fasting people must strictly observe the rules on the quality of food, that is, abstain from certain brashens [that is, food, food. - Ed.], not as from bad ones (let it not be), but as from indecent fasting and forbidden by the Church. Brasna, from which one must abstain during fasts, are: meat, cheese, butter, milk, eggs, and sometimes fish, depending on the difference in holy fasts.
The rules of abstinence prescribed by the Church during the Nativity Fast are as strict as they are. In addition, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the Nativity Fast, fish, wine and oil are forbidden by the charter and it is allowed to eat food without oil (dry eating) only after Vespers. On the rest of the days - Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - it is allowed to eat food with vegetable oil. Fish during the Nativity Fast is allowed on Saturdays and Sundays and great holidays, for example, on the feast of the Entry into the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, on temple holidays and on the days of the great saints, if these days fall on Tuesday or Thursday. If the holidays fall on Wednesday or Friday, then fasting is allowed only for wine and oil.
From December 20 to December 25 (old style), fasting is intensified, and these days, even on Saturday and Sunday, the fish is not blessed. Meanwhile, it is on these days that the celebration of the civil New Year falls, and we, Orthodox Christians, need to be especially collected so that we do not violate the severity of fasting with fun, drinking wine and eating food.
While fasting bodily, at the same time we need to fast spiritually. “Fasting, brethren, bodily, let us fast also spiritually, let us resolve every union of unrighteousness,” the Holy Church commands.
Bodily fasting, without spiritual fasting, does not bring anything for the salvation of the soul, on the contrary, it can be spiritually harmful if a person, abstaining from food, is imbued with the consciousness of his own superiority from the consciousness that he is fasting. True fasting is associated with prayer, repentance, abstinence from passions and vices, eradication of evil deeds, forgiveness of offenses, abstinence from married life, with the exclusion of entertainment and entertainment events, watching TV. Fasting is not a goal, but a means - a means to humble your flesh and cleanse yourself from sins. Without prayer and repentance, fasting becomes just a diet.
The essence of fasting is expressed in the following church song: “Fasting from fasts, my soul, and not being cleansed of passions, we console ourselves in vain by non-eating: for if fasting does not bring you correction, then you will be hated by God as false, and become like evil demons, we will never eat."
Some people think that given the current plight in Russia, when salaries are not paid, when many people have no money, the post is not a topic for conversation. Let us recall the words of the Optina Elders: “If they don’t want to fast voluntarily, they will fast involuntarily…”
How to Eat on Christmas Eve
The last day of Advent is called Christmas Eve, because according to the charter, it is supposed to eat juicy on this day. Sochivo is made from grains of wheat and rice. There is a sochivo taken, apparently, in imitation of the fast of Daniel and the three youths, remembered before the feast of the Nativity of Christ, who ate from the seeds of the earth, so as not to be defiled by a pagan meal (Dan. 1.8), - and in accordance with the words of the Gospel: the Kingdom of Heaven is like mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which, although smaller than all seeds, but when it grows, is larger than all cereals and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and take refuge in its branches (Mt. 13:31-36 ).
On Christmas Eve, Orthodox Christians maintain the pious custom of not eating anything until the first evening star, reminiscent of the appearance of a star in the east, announcing the birth of Jesus Christ.
On Christmas Eve, a meal is prescribed once after the Divine Liturgy. At the meal, the rules of the Church decreed to eat “with oil. Cheese, and those like it, and fish, we will not dare to eat.
How to cook juicy
According to the church charter, on the days of Christmas Eve - Christmas and Epiphany - Orthodox Christians are ordered to eat juicy. Here's how to cook it. 1 glass of wheat grains, 100 g of poppy seeds, 100 g of walnut kernels, 1-3 tablespoons of honey, sugar to taste.
Wheat grains are crushed in a wooden mortar with a wooden pestle, periodically adding a little warm water so that the wheat shell comes off. The kernel is then separated from the husk by sieving and washing. On water from pure grains, ordinary friable lean liquid porridge is boiled, cooled, sweetened to taste.
Separately, poppy seeds are ground until poppy milk is obtained, honey is added, everything is mixed and added to the wheat. If the porridge is thick, it can be diluted with chilled boiled water. At the end, crushed walnut kernels are added.
Sometimes juicy is prepared from rice, but rice should be prepared especially - pour a glass of rice with one and a half glasses of boiling water, cover the pan tightly with a lid, cook the rice for three minutes on high heat, six on medium, three on low. Do not open the lid for another twelve minutes, allowing the rice to brew for a couple. The ratio of all components for juicy is preserved. Raisins are sometimes added, but this is optional. For sweetening, it is better to use only honey.Why Christmas Trees Are Decorated
Many families set up Christmas trees for Christmas. This custom is based both on the words of the prophet Isaiah about the Savior: “And a branch will come from the root of Jesse, and a branch will grow from its root” (Is. II, 1), and on the words of a church hymn in honor of the event of the Nativity of Christ: “Christ is a branch from the root of Jesse and its flower, you sprang from a virgin.
Decorating the dry branches of Christmas trees with lamps and sweets instructively shows that our nature, a barren and lifeless branch, only in Jesus Christ - the source of life, light and joy - can bring spiritual fruits: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, mercy, faith, meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22-23).
How Christmas is celebrated
Since ancient times, the Church of the Nativity of Christ has been ranked by the Church as one of the great twelve feasts, according to the Divine testimony of the Gospel, which depicts this event as the greatest, most joyful and wonderful: I proclaim to you, says the Angel to the shepherds of Bethlehem, great joy that will be for all people: for now I was born to you in the city of David the Savior, who is Christ the Lord; and here is a sign for you: you will find a baby in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly, with an angel, a numerous heavenly army appeared, glorifying God and crying out: glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men!
The Orthodox Church proclaims about the greatness of the feast of the Nativity of Christ: “Your Christmas, Christ our God, exalt the world with the light of reason, in it, for the stars who serve as a star, I learn to bow to You, the Sun of truth, and lead You from the height of the east: Lord, glory to You.”
Within the fore-feast and after-feast, the feast of the Nativity of Christ lasts twelve days. On the last day before the feast, the eve of the Nativity of Christ (Christmas Eve) is celebrated, testifying to the special importance of the upcoming celebration, because eve is only before the most important holidays.
In the Orthodox Church, on eve, the hours called the Royal Hours are celebrated, because from time immemorial, kings have been present at this Divine service, worshiping the newborn King of kings.
The royal hours begin and take place at the open royal gates, in the midst of the temple, before the Gospel laid on the lectern, as if as a sign that now the Savior is no longer hidden, as once in the darkness of the den, but shines on all peoples. Before the Gospel, censer incense is burned, in remembrance of the incense and myrrh brought by the Magi to the newborn Christ.
The very day of the Nativity of Christ in the flesh, as the most important and solemn, in the Liturgical books of the Orthodox Church is called Easter, a three-day holiday. On this day, according to the voice of the Church, “every kind of joy is filled. Angels rejoice in heaven, and people rejoice: but all creation plays for the sake of the Savior of the Lord, who was born in Bethlehem: like every flattery of idols, Christ reigns forever.
The Church begins and expresses her spiritual joy on the day of the Nativity of Christ with prophetic consolatory singing at Great Compline, with which the All-Night Vigil begins: “God is with us. Understand, Gentiles, and submit, for God is with us.” The great joy of the Church on the feast of the Nativity of Christ stems from the grateful remembrance of the condescension and unity of God with man, which is what is announced in the Gospel reading at Matins (Matt. 1:8-25).
In ancient times, the vigil lasted all night. “From night to morning we glorify Thee, O philanthropist,” says Kozma Maiumsky in the canon for the Nativity of Christ.
The Divine Liturgy on the feast was decreed to be served “wounded labor for the sake of the vigilant”.
After the Liturgy, the Church performs a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord God for the deliverance of the Church and the Russian state from the invasion of the French in 1812. In accordance with the great joy brought to the world by the Nativity of the Savior, the Church from ancient times decided to celebrate Divine Liturgy on the day of the Nativity of Christ without kneeling, except for a prayer of thanksgiving for the deliverance of the Fatherland from enemies, to allow fasting, no matter what day of the week a holiday occurs, and to accompany the whole day of the church holiday with church bells .
The solemn glorification of the Nativity of Christ after Divine services in churches is transferred to the dwellings of believers. Like the Angels who announced great joy to the Bethlehem shepherds and sang praises to God, the clergy begin the glorification in the temple, on the eve of the feast, after the Liturgy: “It was decided to burn the candlestick and set it in the middle of the church; and the faces stand together in the midst of the temple and sing exclamations: “Thy Nativity, Christ our God, exalt the world with the light of reason” and so on.
Since ancient times, Orthodox Christians have celebrated the feast of the Nativity of Christ reverently. Likewise, we must avoid entertainment and amusements that violate the sanctity of the holiday.
How to celebrate holidays
Twelve days after the feast of the Nativity of Christ are called Christmastide, that is, holy days, since these twelve days are consecrated by the great events of the Nativity of Christ.
In the first three centuries of Christianity, when persecution interfered with the freedom of Christian worship, in some Eastern Churches the feast of the Nativity of Christ was combined with the feast of Baptism under the general name of Theophany. A monument to the ancient union of the Nativity of Christ and the Holy Theophany is the perfect similarity in the administration of these holidays, which has come down to our times. When these holidays were separated, the celebration extended to all the days between December 25 and January 6, and these days, as it were, constituted one day of the holiday. The people call these days holy evenings, because, according to ancient custom, Orthodox Christians stop their daytime activities in the evening, in remembrance of the events of the Nativity and Baptism of the Savior, which were at night or in the evening.
The Church began to sanctify twelve days after the feast of the Nativity of Christ from ancient times. Already in the church charter of the Monk Savva the Sanctified (died in 530), which included even more ancient rites, it is written that during the days of Christmas time “there is no fasting, there are below the knee, lower in the church, lower in the cell”, and it is forbidden to perform the sacrament of marriage .
By the Second Council of Turon in 567, all the days from the Nativity of Christ to the Epiphany were called holidays.
Meanwhile, the holiness of these days and evenings is now violated by calls to the customs of pagan festivals. From TV screens, on the radio, from newspapers, we are told that in Russia during the days of Christmastide, fortune-telling, dress-up games, and folk festivals were accepted. The Church, taking care of our purity, has always forbidden these superstitions. The canons of the Sixth Ecumenical Council say: “Those who resort to wizards, or others like them, in order to learn something secret from them, in accordance with the previous fatherly decrees about them, let them be subject to the rule of six years of penance. The same penance must be subjected to those who make fortune-telling about happiness, fate, genealogy, and many other similar rumors, also called cloud-chasers, charmers, makers of protective talismans and sorcerers. Those who become stagnant in this and do not turn away from these pernicious and pagan fictions are determined to be completely cast out of the Church, as the sacred rules command. For what is the fellowship of righteousness with iniquity? What does light have in common with darkness? What agreement is there between Christ and Belial? (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). The so-called kalends (that is, pagan celebrations of the first day of each month). Bota (the pagan celebration of Pan), Vrumalia (the celebration of the pagan deity - Bacchus) and the people's gathering on the first day of March, we wish to completely wrest from the lives of the faithful. Likewise, national dances, which can cause great harm and destruction, as well as in honor of the gods, who are so falsely called the Hellenes, dances and ceremonies performed by men and women, performed according to an ancient and alien rite of Christian life, we reject and determine: none of the husbands dress in women's clothes that are not characteristic of her husband; don't wear masks. Therefore, those who from now on, knowing this, dare to do any of the above, we command the clergy to be cast out of the holy dignity, and the laity to be excommunicated from church communion.
The Holy Scriptures say: “A woman should not wear men's clothes, and a man should not put on women's clothes, for everyone who does this is abominable before the Lord your God” (Deut. 22:5).
The Orthodox government of the Russian Empire in its laws forbade “on the eve of the Nativity of Christ and during Christmas time, according to old idolatrous legends, games and, dressing up in idol robes, dance along the streets and sing seductive songs.”
Sretensky Monastery
"New Book" - "The Ark"
Moscow - 1997The end of the Nativity Fast requires Orthodox Christians to strictly observe the rules of nutrition both on Christmas Day and on Christmas Eve on January 6th. For you, we told in detail what you can eat on Christmas on January 7, and what dishes are recommended to be served at the table. Also in our recommendations and tips you will find detailed information on what not to eat on Christmas Eve and a useful table with a nutrition calendar for the entire Advent.
What you can eat on Christmas Eve January 6 - table of allowed foods
Since Orthodox Christians need to fast until Christmas, many of them are interested in how to eat right on Christmas Eve. Despite the approaching bright day, January 6 must be spent with special “modesty” and eat only permitted foods. To learn more about what you can eat during Lent and on Christmas Eve on January 6, our tips and a detailed table of Lenten food will help you.
What foods can you eat on Christmas Eve, January 6th?
Christmas Eve requires Orthodox Christians to have very strict restrictions on food. Therefore, on this day, until the rising of the first star, they should give up any food and confine themselves to drinking water. This rule, of course, does not apply to the sick and the elderly, children and pregnant women. Because for them, such a diet will do more harm than good.
On the evening of January 6, it is allowed to eat sochi. For its preparation, you can use wheat grains or other cereals. To give a rich taste, it is recommended to add poppy seeds, nuts, candied fruits. In addition to kutya, evening consumption of boiled plant foods without the addition of oil is also allowed. It can be boiled vegetables with porridge, soups without frying. As a dessert, we recommend serving dried fruits and candied fruits, nuts with honey.
Following the indicated diet will help you not only observe the fast, but also not overload the body. As for the rules for eating on all other days of fasting, you can find them in our following table:
Day of the week / date of fasting
28.11.18-19.12.18
20.12.18-01.01.19
02.01.19-06.01.19
Monday
Warm vegetable food without oil
Warm vegetable food without oil
Cold vegetable food without oil
Cold vegetable food without oil
Cold vegetable food without oil
Warm vegetable food with the addition of oil. Fish and wine are allowed.
Warm vegetable food with vegetable oil.
Warm vegetable food without oil
Cold vegetable food without oil
Cold vegetable food without oil
Cold vegetable food without oil
Warm vegetable food with the addition of oil. Fish and wine are allowed.
Warm vegetable food with the addition of oil. Fish and wine are allowed.
Warm vegetable food with vegetable oil.
Sunday
Warm vegetable food with the addition of oil. Fish and wine are allowed.
Warm vegetable food with the addition of oil. Fish and wine are allowed.
All day water. In the evening, juicy and warm vegetable food with vegetable oil.
What you can eat on Christmas Day January 7 - a list of allowed foods
On January 7, on Christmas Day, it is customary to invite friends and relatives, set tables and spend this bright day together. Since the fast ends, there are no dietary restrictions on this holiday. But in order to get out of the fast without overloading your body, we recommend that you think over the menu well and make it “easy”. Below we have described in detail what you can eat on Christmas on January 7, and what dishes are best served on the festive table.
List of products allowed for consumption on Christmas Day on January 7
There are no restrictions on the use of products on Christmas Day on January 7, but we strongly recommend that you gradually break the fast. And given the strict diet on January 6 on Christmas Eve, you need to remember that any heavy food will be an extra burden on the digestive tract. Therefore, for the festive table, choose the following products:
- boiled and stewed vegetables (you can make a delicious salad or a delicious stew from them);
- baked vegetables (different vegetable casseroles will be much better absorbed by the body than fried dishes and snacks);
- various pickles (be it pickled tomatoes or pickled cucumbers - such snacks will not harm the body, but it is advisable to serve preservation with a minimum vinegar content to the table);
- meat dishes (stewed or boiled meat will help to gradually get out of the fast without overloading the stomach, but it is better to refuse purchased sausages and sausages);
- cheeses and sour-milk products (a small amount of hard cheese will be a good addition to the festive table, but kefir, yogurt and yogurt will perfectly replace sweets and make it easier to transfer the exit from the post).
To diversify dishes, to give them a special taste and at the same time to make food easy, the use of different types of oil will help: olive, linseed or almond. Also, a fairly simple procedure will help to "start" the stomach after fasting - drinking warm water. 1-2 glasses of water before a festive lunch or dinner will eliminate overeating and help the stomach digest the food you eat faster.
What not to eat on Christmas - a list of prohibited foods
It is impossible to name 100% prohibited foods for Christmas. After all, each of us has a unique body. But there is a small list of dishes that can harm the stomach and lead to serious discomfort. Below we have told what is better not to eat and what really cannot be eaten on Christmas Day.
What foods should not be eaten on Christmas Day?
To the "forbidden" for Christmas, we included those foods, the use of which can harm the digestive tract:
- eggs;
- smoked meats;
- fried foods and snacks;
- mushrooms;
- any pastries (therefore, the bread served at the Christmas table must be stale: be baked on January 5 or 6);
- chocolate.
We also recommend limiting yourself to 1 glass of wine or not drinking alcohol at all. Strong drinks should be avoided in any case. Quite controversial is the use of spicy dishes. A large number of spices can translate into the rank of "heavy" even ordinary salads.
Using our recommendations and a table with the Advent calendar, you can easily follow the rules of nutrition during the holidays. We talked in detail about what you can eat on Christmas Day on January 7, as well as what you can’t eat on Christmas Eve on January 6th. Useful tips and a sample menu will help you set a good holiday table, all the dishes of which will be good for your body.
