Orthodox Christmas is commemorated on Jan. 7. This is partly due to Julius Caesar – the calendar he created during ancient Roman times, known as the Julian calendar, was not made until after the Orthodox Christians lost track of lunar and solar eclipses that helped them determine when their Christmas would be. 

Similar to the traditional Christmas Eve, Orthodox Christmas Eve is filled with festivities. The food must be meatless, but still jolly and plentiful. The key ingredient to Orthodox foods for the Christmas dinner the next night is the “kutya,” or special porridge. Kutya symbolizes hope and immortality and is eaten from a special plate to show unity. Honey and poppy seeds symbolize delight, victory, and peaceful rest. At dinner, there are twelve different foods served, to symbolize the twelve missionaries. Some of these foods include red wine, kidney beans, oranges, dates, and nuts. Sometimes, families travel from house to house singing kolyadki (carols.) 

Orthodox Christians also have a “Santa Claus,” whom they know as “St. Nicholas.” Thanks to the restraint of religion during the Soviet Regime, St. Nicholas turned into Ded Moroz or Grandfather Frost, the Russian version of Santa Clause that brought cheer and toys to families on New Year’s Day.

No matter when students celebrate Christmas, hopefully they are surrounded by the people they love and merry festivities.

Additional writing and reporting done by Sana Haider

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