In the times of the Soviet Union, the Christmas not celebrated much. Only the New Year was the important moment. Now, Christmas is usually celebrated on January 7 (but Catholics celebrate it on December 25).
The date is different because the Russian Orthodox Church uses the old 'Julian' calendar for the days of religious celebration. The Orthodox Church also celebrates Advent. But it does not have a fixed date, starting on November 28 and going until January 6, so it is 40 days.
And among the Russian Christmas traditionsSome people fast on Christmas Eve, until the first star appears in the sky. So people eat 'sochivo' or 'kutia' a porridge made from wheat or rice served with honey, poppy seeds, fruit (especially berries and dried fruits like raisins), chopped nuts or sometimes even fruit jellies. .
The Kutia is sometimes eaten from a common dish, this symbolizes unity. In the past, some families like to scoop up sochivo up on the roof. If it stuck to the ceiling, some people thought it meant that they would have good luck and have a good harvest!
Some Russian Orthodox Christians also do not eat any kind of meat or fish during the Christmas Eve dinner where they gather for the feast.
Other popular foods is beet soup or vegan potluck (solyanka) served with individual vegetable cakes (often with cabbage, potato, or mushrooms), often based on vegetable salads such as pickles, mushrooms, or tomatoes, as well as potato or other root vegetable salads.
He too Sauerkraut It is the main dish of Christmas Eve dinner. It can be served with blueberries, cumin, grated carrots, and onion rings. It might be followed by more cakes or dishes like buckwheat porridge with fried onions and fried mushrooms.
Dessert is often things like shortcakes, gingerbread and honeybread cookies, and fresh and dried fruits and more nuts.
Traditional is also the appearance of "Santa Claus" (known in Russia as "Ded Moroz") who brings gifts to children. He is always accompanied by his granddaughter (Snegurochka).