Merry Christmas! - Again?
Orthodox Christian Christmas is celebrated in Russia, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan today. "The holiday is called the Birthday of Christ in Russia," says Yuriy Kudinov, Director of Children's Hope Russia Team.
In Russia and Kazakhstan, the Santa figure is represented by Father Frost, or Ded Moroz. Dressed in robes and boots with a long white beard, Father Frost brings presents to children, sometimes on Christmas but also on New Year's Day. Approximately 40 percent of Kazakhstan's citizens celebrate this holiday today.
A very merry Christmas to all!
Picured: Father Frost and the step-daughter, illustration by Ivan Bilibin from Russian fairy tale Morozko, 1932 - Wikipedia.
USAToday: A Look Into Today's Russian Christmas
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing the Russian and Kazakh tradition of New Year's--I hadn't found that in my books yet so loved to hear about it and I loved the picture of Father Frost.
Mary
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