Christmas Day in Russia

Date and meaning

The Russian Orthodox Church marks Christmas on December 25 according to the Julian calendar, which currently corresponds to January 7 on the civil calendar used in Russia.[2] The feast celebrates the Nativity of Jesus Christ, and its religious observance is centered on church worship.[2]

This date is specific to the Russian Orthodox calendar rather than a different Christmas feast. The church’s continued use of the Julian calendar is why its Christmas falls after December 25 on the civil calendar.[2]

Public holiday and work

Article 112 of the Russian Labour Code lists January 7 as Christmas and a non-working public holiday across the Russian Federation.[1] It sits between the New Year holidays listed for January 1–6 and January 8.[1]

The legal status gives workers a non-working holiday, though some jobs still require holiday shifts. Article 153 says work on a non-working public holiday must be paid at a higher rate, with the statutory minimum depending on the worker’s pay arrangement; a worker may instead choose another rest day under the conditions set out there.[1][3]

The Labour Code sets rules for moving days off when they coincide with holidays. Its special New Year transfer provision applies to days that fall during the January 1–6 New Year holidays, not January 7 Christmas; any practical calendar arrangements should be checked against the relevant official schedule.[1]

Church observances and customs

A Christmas service is a central way Russian Orthodox Christians observe the feast. A Russian university’s guide describes services held overnight from January 6 into January 7, with solemn worship and hymns; services take place in churches around the country.[2]

Customs vary between households. Some families that observe the pre-Christmas fast serve meat or poultry and dairy foods after the fast, and some prepare sochivo, a sweet dish described in the guide as rice with honey, fruit and nuts.[2] The guide says there is no single special dish or menu followed by all Russian families.[2]

The guide also describes kolyadki, or carol-like songs, as a tradition found in some smaller cities, while in Moscow and St. Petersburg they may be heard at special events and holiday markets.[2]

Christmas and the New Year period

Christmas follows Russia’s major New Year celebrations. The guide notes that Soviet authorities promoted New Year festivities using some symbols associated with Christmas, while Christmas observance returned in the early 1990s as interest in religion and tradition grew.[2]

For visitors, check the hours of specific shops, banks, offices and transport services before making plans.[1][3]