Christmas in Japan and Russia
Comparing Japan And Russia
The Day of Chistmas
Christmas is on the 7th of January (only Catholics celebrate on the 25th of December). A Christmas ceremony of great significance here is the blessing of individual homes. During Christmastime, a priest visits every home accompanied by boys carrying vessels of holy water. A little water is sprinkled in each room, which is believed to usher in happiness and fortune to them. Another popular custom here is that of young children going from house to house on the first day of Christmas carrying a star and singing carols and getting sweets from adults.
Christmas Foods
Russians eat 'sochivo' or 'kutia' a porridge made of wheat or rice, served with honey, poppy seeds, fruit ( especially berries and dried fruits like raisins), chopped walnuts or sometimes even fruit jellies.
The Gift Bearers
Hoteiosho
Grandfather Frost
Ded Moroz delivers gifts on New Year's Eve rather than on Christmas Eve. He is often accompanied by a figure from Russian fairy tales, Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden. In the legend of Ded Moroz, she is said to be his granddaughter.
Babouschka
Babouschka heard of a royal baby would be born a decided to go see the child. When she got there she was too late. She contines to seach for the child while also leaving gifts for the other children she sees.
This was just a story made up by Edith Matilda Thomas an American poet and writer in 1907.
Other Traditions/Important Dates
The Orthodox church in Russia have a fixed date starting on the 28th of november to the 6th of january making Christmas 40 days long.