Svyatki in 2025: history and traditions of holiday days
Holy Days, or holy days, are a special holiday period between Christmas and Epiphany. During this time, Orthodox believers visit relatives, participate in charity events and give gifts to children. In Russia, Svyatki were associated with mysticism and rampant dark forces. In villages they organized merry festivals, caroling and fortune-telling. "Izvestia" tells about the traditions and the meaning of Christmas Eve days.
Christmas Eve in 2025 - what number
In the Orthodox tradition there is no consensus on when the Holy Days begin and end. Some sources call the period from January 8 to January 19 holy days, others - from January 7 to January 18. In some liturgical books the time from January 7 to January 19 is called so.
However, most sources agree that Svyatki lasts from January 7 to January 17. Thus, the festive period does not affect Epiphany Eve (January 18), during which believers are instructed to observe a strict fast.
Saints' Day in 2025 - history
One of the first mentions of Holy Days is contained in the writings of the theologian Ephrem the Syrian, who lived in the IV century. About the special period between Christmas and Epiphany wrote such prominent figures of the Church of that time as Ambrosius of Mediolanus and Gregory of Nyssa. However, it was officially recognized as a holiday only in the VI century.
For 12 days after Christmas, believers glorified Christ and exchanged gifts. It was also customary to visit prisoners, help the sick, beggars and orphans, so that everyone could spend the holidays with dignity. Children were given gifts. It is believed that this tradition is connected with the legend of the Magi, who presented gold, frankincense and smyrna to the newborn Jesus.
After the baptism of Russia in the X century Svyatki became part not only of the church, but also of the folk calendar. In time they coincided with the pagan holiday in honor of Kolyada, the deity of the young sun. During this period Slavic tribes rejoiced at the beginning of a new cycle of life, which was marked by the winter solstice and the following lengthening of the daylight hours.
On Kolyada Slavs tried in every possible way to placate the sun god. For this purpose they burned fires, made sacrifices and organized feasts. There was a tradition to "launch the sun" - to bring down from the mountain a burning wheel, symbolizing the luminary. Also on the holiday it was customary to extinguish the fire in all ovens and to hold a ritual of lighting a new one.
In addition, people believed that a few days after the solstice on the ground walks various evil, and the world of the living comes closer to the world of the dead. To avoid attracting attention to themselves, they dressed up in animal skins, wore masks or painted their faces. According to beliefs, it was possible to "mingle" with evil and even make otherworldly forces fulfill a wish.
Gradually, pagan customs were replaced by Christian ones, and Holy Days were filled with a new meaning. However, some elements of the ancient celebration were preserved, despite the strict prohibitions of the church.
Christmas traditions - how they were celebrated in Russia
From the point of view of the Orthodox Church, Svyatki is a time when believers can rest after a long Christmas fast and share the joy of a bright holiday with loved ones. Therefore, from January 7 to January 17, fasting is canceled on Wednesdays and Fridays, and during the services kneeling is not performed.
In Russia, Christmas Eve was accompanied by noisy folk festivities. Children and teenagers caroled - went around the yards, sang songs glorifying Christ and the Mother of God, congratulated neighbors. For this they were treated with pastries and sweets. During the holidays, puppet shows and skits on Christmas themes were also organized.
Young people spent Christmas Eve in a particularly merry way. Boys and girls gathered for general gatherings, participated in games, sang songs and socialized without strict supervision of elders. After such evenings, young people often sent matchmakers to the beloved beauties to soon play weddings.
Despite the prohibitions of the church, in villages and towns on Christmas Eve with pleasure fortune-telling. Most often this was done by unmarried girls who wanted to know what their soulmates would be like. There were many different variants of fortune-telling: with a mirror and a candle, wax, comb, etc. In some regions, logs were pulled: if a girl grabbed a smooth log, her husband would be kind, a knotted one would be grumpy, a thick one would be rich, and a thin one would be poor.
They did not forget about those who needed help. During the holidays they were actively engaged in charity: they treated the homeless, visited the sick and prisoners, gave gifts to orphans, shared food with poor neighbors. It was believed that a person who refuses to help, can bring misfortune and disease upon himself.
Earlier "Izvestia" told about the history and traditions of Orthodox Christmas.
