Unlike the bloated, red-coated father Christmas of the West, Russia's Santa Claus, known as
Russian: Дед Мороз – Ded Moroz (lit.
It is believed that Ded Moroz (the Russian and interpretation of and name for Santa Claus) brings presents with the help of his granddaughter, Snegurka. The tradition goes that children make a circle around the Christmas tree and call for Ded Moroz and Snegurka.
Russia. Maybe it is a good thing for the rest of us that Russia celebrates Christmas on January 7. Because all the kids leave a generous shot of vodka for Santa – and with 57.5million homes in the country, he'd be too sleighed to get round the world on December 24.
On 18th November all kinds of festive events are held on the central square of the city of Veliky Ustyug which is officially considered the homeland and residence of the Russian Santa Claus.
Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden, is a popular seasonal figure in Russian culture. In her most recognizable form, she is Ded Moroz's granddaughter and companion as he delivers gifts to good children in celebration of the New Year.
Saint Nicholas was a monk and therefore did not marry. The Santa Claus that we know lives in the North Pole. According to some North American sources, his original name was Kris Kringle before he changed his name to Santa Claus. Kris Kringle was a toymaker who married Jessica.
But 'Babushka' – which means 'grandmother' in Russian – is also a famous Christmas story in Russia about the story of an old woman who met the Three Wise men on their way to see Jesus. According to the story, a women called Babushka used to live in a small peasant town in Russia.
Santa Claus goes by lots of names, depending on where you are in the world. In Australia and other English-speaking countries, he's usually called Father Christmas, Santa Claus, or sometimes just “Santa” for short.
In the Russian Christmas tradition Father Christmas is always accompanied by his granddaughter. Her name is Snegurochka a snow maiden.
Santa is known as 'Sheng dan Lao ren' in Mandarin, which translates as 'Christmas Old Man', and he is seen as a non-religious figure who lives in a fairytale Arctic Christmas Village in China's North Pole.
Although Russia follows the Gregorian calendar, like India and most of the world, the country's Orthodox Church still follows the Julian calendar and celebrates Christmas on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 on the Gregorian calendar.
The Orthodox Church also celebrates Advent. But it has fixed dates, starting on 28th November and going to the 6th January, so it's 40 days long. The official Christmas and New holidays in Russia last from December 31st to January 10th.
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It is commonly used to refer to Santa Claus specifically, or Christmas and the Christmas holiday season.
Then when July finally rolls around, this is when Australians celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense since it's colder. Although we know it as Christmas in July, Australians call this second celebration Yuletide or Yulefest.
Ded Moroz or Grandfather Frost is a Russian counterpart of Santa Claus. Both bring presents and are much expected by the kids but there're a few things that make them different.
Snegurochka (diminutive) or Snegurka (Russian: Снегу́рочка (diminutive), Снегу́рка, IPA: [sʲnʲɪˈgurətɕkə, snʲɪˈgurkə]), or The Snow Maiden, is a character in Russian fairy tales.
Snegurochka or the Snowmaiden is, in modern Russian tradition, the granddaughter of Grandfather Frost, the equivalent of Father Christmas. She helps Grandfather Frost bring gifts to the children at Russian Christmas. She is also the central figure in at least two folktales.
Old Slavic people had a person called Winter Man (Зимник – Zimnik), he, as Grandfather Frost, was portrayed as an old man with white hair and long white beard. He usually had a bare head, was wearing warm white clothes and had a long metal stick in his hand.
The song, popular with school-aged kids, explains that Santa's reindeer get a rest while six white boomers (boomer is Aussie slang for a male kangaroo) lead Santa's sleigh through Australia! After all the toys are delivered, they even help a little joey (a baby kangaroo) find his mommy.
The children in Australia believe in Santa Claus. However, since it is summer, it would not be unusual to see Santa dressed in a lighter, cooler version of his red and white suit. Shorts can even be seen! Santa does use reindeer to pull his sleigh when delivering gifts to children in Australia.
Secret Santa in Australia and other Western cultures has its origins in the Scandinavian tradition Julklapp, or “Christmas knock”. Secret gift givers would knock on someone's door and try to quickly throw a present inside as the door opened, and then run away before their identity was discovered.
Long-standing Russian Christmas customs include caroling, fortune-telling, and following a strict Nativity Fast for forty days leading up to Christmas Eve.
Unlike the bloated, red-coated father Christmas of the West, Russia's Santa Claus, known as Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost), is slender with a wizard-like flowing beard and he wears a long robe that comes in different colors, such as blue and white.
The common symbols of Orthodox Christmas are a decorated fir tree, a star (such as the first star in the sky or the star on top of the Christmas tree) and baby Jesus.