C Рождеством Христовым !Сердечно поздравляю вас с Рождеством Христовым.
Этот великий праздник объединяет и сближает семьи, поколения и народы в стремлении к духовному преображению и обновлению, в желании делиться друг с другом теплом.
Рождество для миллионов людей служит непреходящим символом чистоты, искренности, человечности и милосердия. В прекрасные рождественские дни наши сердца наполняют вера, надежда и сострадание, вдохновляющие на свершение добрых дел, оказание помощи всем, кто в ней нуждается.
Пусть праздник Рождества придаст вам силы для осуществления самых заветных желаний и планов. Пусть наступающий год порадует новыми достижениями, принесет в каждый дом спокойствие, взаимопонимание, благополучие и любовь.
Желаю вам крепкого здоровья, успехов в делах, счастья и мира.
For non-Russians
January 6th here is Epiphany but January 7th in the East is Christmas.
Today I received a message from someone special and then another [plus photos] from someone else special in Russia and so this is one of those days, Orthodox Christmas, when things get a bit shaky in my psyche. Some years back I chose to follow the January 7th Christmas as it seemed altogether better, as I've tried to explain to my friends over here.
Let's face it, at the end of the previous year, we're all knackered and the last thing we need is the enforced smiles and jollity. It's much better to go off and do something nice with family or partner, to let all the worries fade away and then, invigorated in the new year, you can address yourself to Christmas. An added bonus is that the traffic is lighter then and people are in a better frame of mind.
However, the western tradition dies hard and thank goodness people are still celebrating it here at all.
What I particularly liked about this day was that I got to visit grandparents and that meant a scrumptuous luncheon and a little wine. Unfortunately, it was also a time to make me reflect on where I was and how precarious were all our lots and this is how I'm thinking right now.
The words above in Russian are quite beautiful and basically wish you peace, prosperity and happiness.
Who could argue with that?
Merry Christmas indeed to all Orthodox Christians.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas, I know someone else who is celebrating today too.
And I always thought the Orthodox Christmas Day was January 6. I hadn't realised it was the 7th. Why is it the 7th?
ReplyDeleteIn accordance with the old Julian calendar, the Russian Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on 7 January, thirteen days after the Western Christmas on 25 December. It also ties in with Old New Year, which is a week later, on January 14th.
ReplyDelete