Katie Hageman
Ms.Daluga
13 April 2015
Frying Nemo Blog-#2
Russian Tradition : Christmas
The
Holiday season is something that everyone looks forward every year. Whether
that means getting closer with family or stuffing your face for one night,
everyone has a reason to celebrate. In Russia they traditionally celebrate
Christmas on January seventh. But the festivities and mainly feasting begins on
Christmas Eve. In Eastern Orthodox Church Russian families have a dinner called
the Holy Supper. This feast consists of twelve courses. Yes, twelve courses.
The Holy Supper is a symbol for the last meal in the forty days of fasting.
Therefore, the types of food included in this supper are fasting foods. A few
of the foods included in this supper are mushroom soup, Lenten bread, honey,
and Bobal’ki. Which is a biscuit usually served with sauerkraut. Red wine is
traditionally served at the end of the meal with Pryaniki. Pryaniki is a honey
cake bites that are covered with sugar. Here is a recipe: http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/russiandessertrecipes/r/Russian-Spice-Cookies-Or-Honey-Bread-Pryaniki.htm
During Christmas time characters play an important
role in Russia. One major character is Ded
Moroz who is also known as Grandfather Frost. Ded Moroz looks similar to
Santa Claus that we are accustomed to but he wears blue instead of red. Grandfather
Frost was created because back in 1917, after the Communist Revolution,
religious practices were officially banned by the atheist state. In result,
many people had to practice religion in private. In conclusion, Grandfather
Frost or Ded Moroz was created for children
to bring presents on New Year’s Eve around Russia.
Sites:
http://www.byerschoice.com/christmas-traditions/Russian
http://www.russian-crafts.com/customs/christmas.html
Wow Katie! Never had any idea that Christmas was celebrated over different time periods. Is that because the Eastern Orthodox Church go by a different calendar? The feast of the holy supper intrigues me because it symbolizes the last supper even with simple foods. I never knew the reason behind grandfather frost though I have seen the blue Santa at some calibrations. Knowing now that the reason for it was the communist revolution and having to go underground with the religion and culture I start to understand why he is so important for Russia. I am excited to try the recipe for Pryaniki because they look delicious and filling.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Katie! I never knew some of these things about Russian food and culture before now. I liked how you went beyond just the food aspects of the holiday and gave us a little back story; it really showed your knowledge of the topic. The 12 courses reminds me of the Cajun culture because of how filling Cajun food is, and a 12 course meal must really fill people up. Why did Grandfather Frost wear blue instead of red, just to separate from the Western Santa Clause?
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