So for people who aren't religious, this is just an ordinary day? I guess they must also appreciate the holiday because it's a free day off from work. :)
You're welcome. I saw some of my Russian friends on Facebook posting photos of gifts this morning, so I got confused. But perhaps everyone has different family traditions.
This is a big cultural distinction, because in the U.S. Christmas is observed by both the religious and unbelievers. It has become a secular holiday in many ways, so that everyone can enjoy it.
During Soviet era Christmas celebration was mostly replaced by New Year celebration, that is why (at least in my opinion) New Year is much more celebrated in Russia than Christmas. Same for gifts: I guess that before Revolution people would exchange gifts for Christmas and not for New Year
It's an important holiday for religious people. Earlier I congratulated my religious grandmother and grandfather. Now for me it's just a day, when institutions do not work.
So how do your grandparents celebrate? Just go to church services? Btw, I'm always amazed there are no chairs or benches in Orthodox churches, and that people stand for the entire service.
Go to church and exhaust themselves by dumb repetitive praying. It was good way of crowd control in 18 century Russia. Why people do it now and on their own - is beyond me.
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I was baptized, but I m not so religious to celebrate Christmas.
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Same for gifts: I guess that before Revolution people would exchange gifts for Christmas and not for New Year
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