How to Have an Authentic Russian Christmas

Christmas in Russia brings back the excitement and magic of a holiday celebrated in ages-old traditions. (Although I was only in Russia for two Christmases, that two-year period made me "obrucilla." This word loosely translated means "I have become Russian.") Although in some ways similar to celebrations in America, there are customs that I love incorporating into my own holiday, especially the traditional foods.

While we in America are busy fattening the Christmas goose or turkey to mark the celebration, Russians are participating in a six-week fast that disallows meat, dairy or chocolate, along with any festive gatherings or parties. At the end of six weeks, on January 6th (to coincide with the old Julian calendar), the family has the first traditional meal, called "Svyata Vecheria" (Holy Night).

The family has eagerly awaited the first star's appearance, representing the star that lead the magi to the infant Jesus. As soon as it has appeared (or alternatively, after mass), the family gathers around a table specially set for this evening, which will be the beginning of six days of festivities.

A snowy white cloth covers the table, signifying the swaddling clothes that wrapped baby Jesus. There may be some hay or straw that symbolizes the poverty of the Savior's humble beginnings and the manger in which he lay. In the center of the table is a tall, white candle that represents Christ, the "Light of the World," and beside that is a large, round loaf of Lenten Bread, made without any dairy or eggs. This "pagach" represents Christ, the "Bread of Life."

Traditionally, the father begins the celebration by leading the family in reciting the Lord's Prayer. Next, they give thanks for all the blessings of the year past and all the ones to come in the next year. Then father says, "Xristos rozhdayetzya!" (Christ is born!) and the family responds "Praslav'tye Yevo!" (Glorify him!). Then it's the mother's turn to bless the family, which she does by drawing a cross with a finger dipped in honey on the forehead of each member of the family. She says, "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, may you have sweetness and abundant good things in the new year!"

Immediately after this, the pagach is broken into pieces and shared. Dipping the bread in honey represents the sweetness of life and into garlic symbolizes life's bitterness. Then comes the Sviaty Vechir (Holy Supper), consisting of twelve foods representing the twelve Apostles. Although relatively the same everywhere, there may be slight variations from village to village as to what these foods are. Generally, they comprise the following:

1. mushroom or sauerkraut soup
2. Lenten bread (pagach)
3. honey
4. garlic
5. baked fish
6. nuts
7. oranges, figs and dates
8. parsley potatoes
9. kidney beans which have cooked all day long, with shredded potatoes
10. peas
11. bobal'ki, which are small rolls with sauerkraut or poppy seeds mixed with honey
12. red wine

Following the meal, the women get a break and no dishes are washed. Then each person opens small gifts before leaving for the Christmas Mass that can last until two in the morning or later. When they finally do return home to sleep for a short time, they are understandably tired. Christmas morning the family returns to church to celebrate the Christmas Day meal and then visit friends and opening more gifts. The children may go caroling from house to house, singing songs about the newborn King, where they may be given food and coins. This part of the celebration was taken from the pagan practice of going door to door and singing "kolyadki" to the god of fertility and life. People greet each other with "S RodzshestvomKristovom!" , meaning "with the birth of Christ!"

Kolyadki
A special baked treat made to reward carolers. The filling here is a traditional one, although many people make various fillings, some with dates and nuts, others with meat and shredded potatoes.

Ingredients:
1-3/4 cups flour (400 grams)
2/3 cup water (150 grams)

For the Filling:
1-1/3 cups cottage cheese (300 grams)
1 egg
sugar to taste

To make the filling:
Combine the cottage cheese, eggs and sugar. If you want really sweet filling, just add more sugar.

To make the dough
Combine flour and water until dough holds together in a ball. Knead the dough for a few minutes, and then roll it out thin. Cut into squares. Fold the edges of the squares and pinch them together to make small, open boxes. Fill each box with the filling and bake in a preheated 350¬¬° oven until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. If you want to, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top of the kolyadki.