Catholic Christmas: when it is celebrated, history, traditions and customs, congratulations. When and how Christmas is celebrated in different countries of Europe and around the world (Great Britain, Bulgaria, America, Germany, Israel, Portugal, etc.)

Christmas in Europe is considered the main holiday of the year. In almost all countries, they begin to prepare for it already a month in advance, and these preparations are very bright, very noisy and very colorful - with fairs, music, performances, original national traditions and dishes.

On Christmas Eve itself, people gather in a narrow family circle, at home, with their closest people.

Where to go for Christmas in Europe?

Catholic Europe celebrating Christmas is striking in its splendor. Christmas trees and street illumination, fairs and costumed processions, gingerbread towns and chants - all this makes it clear long before the holiday itself that it is approaching.

Europeans celebrate Christmas with their families; it makes no sense to go there on this day.

What is the best date to go to Europe for Christmas? Since all people spend the evening from December 24 to 25 at home, with their families, cities are dying out and tourists have practically nothing to do there. Therefore, it is better to go on a visit ten days before the holiday, on the tenth day of December.

So you will certainly get a lot of pleasure from the trip and have a good rest, admiring the houses and shops shimmering with all colors, choosing souvenirs and enjoying delicious food and hot wine.

Do you really need to stay in capital hotels to fully experience the Christmas spirit? Not at all - the holiday is celebrated in small towns too. The provinces also have beautiful cathedrals, town halls, squares, castles, and often they have an atmosphere more fabulous and magical than in big cities.

Festive Czech Republic

If you want to enjoy a classic Catholic Christmas, you should consider visiting the Czech Republic. And one of the most alluring cities, of course, is its capital. Expectations Christmas, Prague is completely transformed - trees and houses sparkle with decorations, snow flakes lie on the tiled roofs, looking like powdered sugar, and the streets are filled with the aroma of roasted chestnuts.

In the Czech Republic, you can buy a horseshoe for luck, made by a blacksmith before your eyes.

If you want to go for a walk and blend in with the crowd, Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square are the best places to go, known for the most beautiful and noisy Christmas markets. Here you can enjoy the old Bohemian butter trdelnik and drink mulled wine-svarzak from painted ceramic mugs, which you can keep as souvenirs.

Here you can buy a horseshoe for luck, made by a blacksmith before your eyes. And here you can have fun watching costumed performances and curly-haired sheep chewing hay. From the Town Hall located on Old Town Square, Christmas carols can be heard all day long, and fans of organ music concerts can visit the Church of St. Nicholas.

In the Czech Republic you can buy a horseshoe for good luck, which will be forged in front of you.

For good shopping, you need to walk along the main shopping street on Příkol, if you want gifts made by Czech craftsmen, your destination is the Manes Gallery. City guests who want to see Prague from a bird's eye view - 66 meters high - can visit the bistro of the same name, located on the top floor of the skyscraper.

If you want to relax in solitude, away from thousands of people celebrating Christmas, pay attention to the medieval castles of Cesky Krumlov and Karlstejn, located a few hours' drive from Prague. Their gingerbread houses and bridges will immerse you in a quiet Christmas fairy tale.

Christmas Germany

Germany is a leader among European countries in celebrating Christmas, here the festive period is called the “fifth season”. Preparations for the holiday begin in November, on the eleventh, at 11:11 am. At this time, the first Christmas services begin to be held in churches, and people begin to visit them for repentance and communion.

A week later, fairs officially open in ancient squares, noisy, cheerful, attracting thousands of citizens and city visitors. Although traditionally in Europe fairs close on the afternoon of December 24th, in Germany fairs last much longer, until the New Year. So, on the eve of 2019, the Berlin fair will last from November 25 to December 25, the Strasbourg fair from November 26 to December 31.

In Germany, the holiday period is called the “fifth season.”

It is noteworthy that on the eve of the holiday, not only Berlin, but also small provincial towns are transformed. Moreover, it is precisely them that are interesting to visit for complete immersion in the atmosphere and spirit of Christmas. Every corner of the country has something that delights winter tourists - squares, town halls, fir trees and Christmas markets. And the attractions are complemented by cheerful people on the streets who eat scalding sausages and drink punch or mulled wine.

Christmas Munich annually brings together connoisseurs of musical and theatrical art for

Tollwood festival, which sells out instantly. Nuremberg, known as the birthplace of the Nutcracker, is also very popular on the eve of Christmas.

It’s very distinctive in Catholic areas of the country, like Bavaria - on the streets of cities you can see processions of mummers, whose faces are stained with soot or instill fear with creepy masks.

At the same time, nativity scenes are held everywhere with typical biblical scenes - the cave in which the newborn Jesus sleeps, the wise men who came to worship him and a bright guiding star. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, famous for its year-round market, looks very fairy-tale-like during Christmas. Christmas tree decorations and similar to the picture for a children's book.

Germans, like most Europeans, consider Christmas family holiday and celebrate it with loved ones, at home.

Austria and Christmas

As in the rest of Europe, preparations for Christmas in Austria begin a month before the date. From the moment of the announcement of Advent, the Nativity Fast, the approach of the holiday begins to be felt in the country. People begin to decorate their homes with garlands and Christmas wreaths, into which four candles are inserted.

In Austria, the Christmas tree is decorated not with toys, but with something edible: sweets or marzipan.

The first of them is lit on the first Sunday of Lent, the second on the second, the third on the next Sunday, and on the eve of Christmas all the candles in the wreath burn brightly. It is curious that Austrians decorate their Christmas trees not with toy balls, but with edible decorations - marzipan and chocolate, which are recognized as a source of pride for the country.

Since the Middle Ages, street markets have opened throughout the country during the pre-Christmas period. There, in specially installed and beautifully painted kiosks, you can buy a wide variety of sweets - beautiful cookies, lollipops, roasted chestnuts, aromatic mulled wine. If you are good at skating, you should definitely visit the “Vienna Ice Dream” - a huge skating rink with an area of ​​3 square kilometers, generously illuminated with festive illuminations.

Is this how you want to celebrate this New Year?

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After visiting St. Stephen's Cathedral, you can listen to Christmas carols, and by climbing its South Tower you can admire a wonderful view of Vienna. If you feel like you are starting to get cold on the elegant streets of the city, you can take a sightseeing tram, the route of which will take you to the main attractions of the city.

Although the main festive events are held in Vienna, other cities in the country also offer a lot of interesting entertainment. For example, you can go to Salzburg, which hosts annual music festivals and art exhibitions. And what is the Museum of the Nativity worth - a place where you can see decorations from the 18th century, a nativity scene from the 19th century and a Christmas tree from the early 20th century? In the vicinity of Hellbrunn Palace you can make friends with ponies. And if you are not seduced by the angelic picture, you can take part in the Krampus processions. These are furry devils with large horns, whose role is to punish naughty children.

Christmas in Spain

Christmas is an important holiday for Spain, where most of the population is Catholic. Although each region has its own traditions, most of them are national. Preparations for Christmas in this country, as in other European cities, begin in November - with the installation of Christmas trees, hanging garlands and the appearance of local Santa Clauses on the city streets.

The most important Spanish attribute of Christmas Eve is the belen, an image of the painting of the birth of Christ in the form of a model. These symbols can be seen everywhere - near houses, in city squares, in store windows. At the same time, the Spaniards also use the Anglo-German tradition - Christmas trees, which complement the national henbane.

In Europe, the Christmas holidays come earlier than in Russia, because Catholic Christmas is celebrated on December 25. Russians are increasingly going abroad to spend this holiday interestingly and to plunge into the pre-New Year mood in advance.

In all cities of Europe, New Year celebrations are approximately the same.

The decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25 was made at the Third Ecumenical Church Council in the 5th century. Since then, the December pre-holiday period and Christmas itself have been the most fun and hectic time of the year.

Christmas fairs and markets begin to operate in almost all European cities; houses and shops are decorated with special decorations: illuminated garlands, decorated Christmas trees and white fluffy snow.

Already closer to Christmas itself in Europe, children begin to go from house to house singing carols - singing holiday songs and saying good wishes family. And in return they receive gifts: roasted chestnuts, gingerbread and sweets.

It's not easy to choose where to go for Christmas and... New Year- 2019. And this is not surprising, because the New Year is a fabulous time, and even if you have not believed in Santa Claus since childhood, with the onset of December 31, something freezes inside on the eve of a miracle. If you are a romantic and the pre-holiday bustle inspires you, we recommend celebrating the New Year in Europe - in an atmosphere of antiquity and magic.

The most popular destinations in Europe for the Christmas holidays 2018-2019

If you are planning to spend new year holidays in Europe, then you need to decide in advance which country you would like to visit and what exactly to see. The fact is that established traditions are different everywhere. For example, the Spaniards and Italians are used to celebrating the New Year on a grand scale, the French are closer to romance, and the Finns believe that there is nothing better than a warm home environment.

If you want to spend the New Year, holidays and Catholic Christmas in Europe, we advise you to fly out on December 22, 23 or 24, and return back in early January. Book everything a few months before your trip.

As for statistical data, the majority of our compatriots planning to celebrate New Year 2019 in Europe noted that they would like to visit:

• Czech Republic;
• Italy;
• France;
• Germany;
• Switzerland;
• Turkey.

Holidays abroad are an opportunity to create a romantic atmosphere for your loved one. Christmas tours for two to Europe - the magic of ancient cities and fabulous architecture in festive decoration. When you are in Prague or Germany, you immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of Christmas, drinking mulled wine or coffee and watching the decorated ancient streets. Probably many people had a childhood dream of seeing the Christmas atmosphere and Santa Claus?

Finland - Helsinki and Lapland

Where to celebrate New Year 2019 and Christmas in Europe, if not in the homeland of Santa Claus? At the end of December it is frosty outside, down to –15 °C, and there is a lot of snow. People come to Finland for solitude and winter's tale. Rent a cottage and devote the New Year holidays to active recreation - skiing and snowmobiling, for example. Admire the northern lights, explore local cuisine and visit the Joulupukki residence in Lapland.

Tours from Moscow for 4-5 nights cost from 65 thousand rubles.

Flights from Moscow to Helsinki and back cost from 11 thousand rubles. St. Petersburg residents can get there by train or bus.

Hotels. Cheap hotels- from 40 € for two in the center of Helsinki (3* hotels - from 85 euros), renting a cottage in Rovaniemi - from 130 €. Dinner in a restaurant - about 50 € per person.

Czech Republic, Prague

The Czech Republic is another country in Europe where you can celebrate the New Year 2019 gloriously. In Prague, the main Christmas tree shining with lights is installed on the Old Town Square. There is a fair, tourists and locals walk, eat almonds fried in spices, delicious trdelniki and drink mulled wine and honey.
The weather in Prague at the end of December is good: during the day it can be slightly above 0°C, at night - up to −5°C. There is not always snow cover.

Tours to Prague for 7 nights for the New Year can be purchased from only 65 thousand rubles.

Flights. A flight for the New Year holidays from Moscow to Prague and back costs from 16 thousand rubles.

Hotels. Rent a hotel room for two in the center - from 90 € per night and above. New Year's dinner in a restaurant will cost 100-170 € per person.

Germany - Berlin and Munich

The best New Year in Europe, in our opinion, is in Germany. Do you want to plunge into a real Christmas fairy tale? We recommend going to Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Nuremberg or other cities. Visit fun fairs with all the gastronomic attributes of Christmas and New Year: caramel apples, ginger gingerbread houses and hearts, stollen and aromatic hot mulled wine. The weather at this time of year in Germany is usually pleasant, from 0 to –4°C, and snow does not always fall.

Tours for 4 nights cost from 60 thousand rubles for two.

Flights. A flight from Moscow to Berlin and back costs from 16 thousand rubles (direct flights), to Munich - about the same.

Hotels in the center of Berlin - from 120 € per night for two. New Year's dinner in a restaurant costs approximately 100-200 € per person.

Even with a small budget you can celebrate a winter holiday on warm shores

Up to 70 thousand rubles for two. This is the minimum budget with which, when planning where to go for the New Year, you can count on the beach. And there is very interesting option – Jordan, Aqaba resort on the Red Sea. A week's holiday for two in a 3-star hotel with breakfast and flights on Nordwind airlines costs from 70-72 thousand rubles. In addition to swimming in the Red Sea, you can go to the Dead Sea, the castles of the Crusaders and the ancient city of Petra in the pink rocks.

Cheaper – Tunisia. This year, tour operators have extended charters to the North African country throughout the winter. But here swimming is only in the pools, the Mediterranean Sea is already cold. But there will be sun and thalassotherapy. The asking price is from 55 thousand rubles for two per week in a three-star hotel, with all-inclusive meals, in four stars - from 65 thousand. This includes flights.

How long do New Year holidays last in different countries?

On January 1, the New Year is celebrated in countries living according to the Gregorian calendar, which is most countries in the world. But not everyone attaches such sacred significance to this holiday as Russians do. We love the New Year and love to celebrate it, so we do it for 10 whole days. How many days do the New Year and Christmas holidays last in other countries?

CHINA

In China, New Year is celebrated on the first new moon after January 21, and this date changes every year. New Year's Eve eastern calendar comes between January 21 and February 21. At this time, the moon completes a full cycle, the new moon and the new year begin. In addition to China, this procedure is followed in Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Malaysia. The government gives the Chinese 3 days off.

GERMANY

In Germany, as in almost all of Europe, Christmas is held in higher esteem than New Year, so Germans have holidays on December 24, 25 and 26. January 31 is a shortened working day, January 1 is a day off, and January 2 Germans go to work.

USA

In the United States, the working population only rests on December 25 and 26 for Christmas. Duration New Year holidays depends on the state and on the enterprise, basically, the population rests only on January 1. But many states practice a system of accumulating time off, which Americans just take for the New Year holidays.

DOMINICAN CAN

In the hot Dominican Republic, Christmas and New Year holidays are also celebrated. On December 24, employees have a shortened day, and on December 25, they have a day off. On December 31 you have to work until noon, and on January 1 and 6 you are legally allowed to rest. Sometimes the day off is moved from the sixth to the fourth of January to make it a long weekend.

BELARUS

In Belarus, neighboring Russia, there are no New Year holidays. Only January 1 and 7 are marked in red on the calendar - New Year and Orthodox Christmas.

UKRAINE

Ukrainians celebrate the New Year from January 1 to 3, and go to work on the 4th. From January 7th to 10th our neighbors get Christmas off.

KAZAKHSTAN

In Kazakhstan, holidays are also short, on January 1, 2 and 7, with the exception of cases when holidays fall on weekends, as this year. Then the weekend schedule shifts and there are more of them.

The amazing holiday of Christmas has become a favorite in many parts of the world, in countries with the most different culture, history and climate. How do people celebrate Christmas? According to tradition - of course, at home, because this is, first of all, a family holiday. The customs on this day are the same in many countries, but each country has its own habits, especially when it comes to the Christmas table.

• Where did the difference in Christmas celebration dates come from?
• Great Britain
• Germany
• Bulgaria
• France
• Italy
• Austria
• Greece
• Finland
• Estonia
• Israel
• Dominican Republic
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Iceland
• Argentina

Where did the difference in Christmas celebration dates come from?

If the New Year is a secular holiday, then the Nativity of Christ is Christian. Everybody knows, When is Catholic Christmas celebrated in Europe - December 25.

But why then did this holiday among the Orthodox acquire another date, January 7, because it is unlikely that even such an unusual baby as Jesus would have been able to be born twice. This date confusion arose due to the inaccuracy of the calendars used by Europeans. The Russian Orthodox Church now lives according to the old Julian calendar, which Julius Caesar borrowed from the Egyptian priests and put into circulation in the Roman Empire. According to him, the New Year began on January 1. According to it, Christmas also falls on December 25, but according to the Gregorian calendar, according to which we all live, it is already January 7.

Until 1582, Europe also lived according to the same calendar, but it was difficult to calculate the time of Easter using it. Therefore, Pope Gregory XIII decided to reform the calendar, making it more accurate. The difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars lies in the principle of accounting for leap years. If at the time of the introduction of the Gregorian calendar the difference between them was 10 days, now it has reached 13 days and will continue to slowly increase. That's why Christmas is celebrated in different days V different countries peace.

Great Britain

The date on which Christmas is celebrated in the UK is no different from Western Europe - it is still the same December 25th. But since the inhabitants of Foggy Albion highly respect traditions, the celebration of this Holy Day should be marked by a short speech from the Queen, delivered immediately after Christmas dinner.

When the British celebrate Christmas, before sitting down to festive table, they definitely attend church. Children here ask for gifts from Father Christmas. To do this, the offspring must write a letter with a detailed list of everything he wants to receive in the new year, and then burn it in the fireplace - and the smoke coming out through the chimney will convey the wishes to their destination.

In Great Britain, people celebrate Christmas over two days - after Christmas itself comes St. Stephen's Day. On this day, the British open donation boxes and distribute what they collect there to people in need.

On this family holiday, all family members tend to gather at their parents’ house, exchange gifts and collectively look through family photo albums. Celebrating Christmas in the UK is impossible without turkey with gooseberry sauce and pudding for dessert. The British drink brandy and then tea on this day.

The decoration of the table should be a pie, in which, according to the ancient custom, small surprises are placed. Based on what will be given to whom, the English guess what the coming year promises them: a horseshoe - good luck, a coin - wealth, and a ring - marriage. The British decorate their homes at Christmas with mistletoe (fertility and hospitality) and holly (prosperity).

Germany

Germany is a Christian country, there are approximately equal numbers of Catholics and Protestants, so Christmas is celebrated in Germany on the night of December 24-25.

But preparations for this holiday begin in November. Festive services, repentance and communion are held in churches. The traditions of celebrating Christmas in Germany are interesting, according to which the Christmas holiday season begins on November 11 at 11:11 local time. The Christmas holidays are called the “fifth season” here. Noisy fairs open in the squares of ancient German cities, attracting thousands of buyers. They spend their time having fun: eating, drinking mulled wine, singing, dancing, hugging. Children eagerly open Advents - sweet calendars designed for 24 days, with one candy hidden in each day's cell.

The Germans also give each other “Christmas stars” (in our language, milkweed) - plants brought from Mexico in the last century. If you care for this plant correctly, then around Christmas, a pink or scarlet flower, shaped like a star, will appear on it. It is also customary to give pots of clover as a gift for good luck.

In Catholic areas of the country, such as Bavaria, on holy days, processions of mummers roam the streets, often with a frightening appearance - masks or simply a face smeared with soot.

In the premises it is customary to arrange biblical “nativity scenes” - Christmas-themed scenes. Typical elements of a nativity scene are the cave with the newborn Jesus, the wise men and the guiding star. The doors are decorated with candles and biblical characters intertwined with ribbons.

As elsewhere, in Germany Christmas is a family holiday - the whole family should certainly gather at the festive table. Besherung, a ceremony for exchanging Christmas gifts, is also held here.

Bulgaria

Since Bulgarians are a majority Orthodox people, the question of when Christmas is celebrated in Bulgaria does not even arise for many. But, oddly enough, the date of celebration in this country falls on December 25th.

The holiday begins on December 24 with Kolyada, when carolers go from house to house, sing Christmas songs and wish the owners health, prosperity, wealth, and a good harvest. It is customary to give gifts and money to carolers, some of which are necessarily given to charity (to church or school, for the needs of the poor).

Christmas Eve is called “poor evening” here, everyone who came that evening is invited to it, and Lenten dishes are always placed on the table in odd numbers. Housewives bake “banitsa” - a traditional pie in which various surprises are baked (notes with wishes, nuts, coins). First, the hostess pricks the pie with a fork, and then divides it in such a way that everyone at the table gets a surprise.

Since Bulgarian Christmas is also a purely family holiday, there are very few people on the streets of the country on Christmas Eve and Christmas night.

USA

The answer to the question of when Christmas is celebrated in America is obvious - they brought this tradition from Europe, like many others. Therefore, here they also decorate Christmas trees (since New Year is coming), sing Christmas carols, and place the traditional turkey on the festive table on December 25th. Many Americans drink a cocktail of eggs, alcohol and cream at Christmas - “egg-nog”.

When Americans celebrate Christmas, it can be seen from afar as they put on lavish lights and decorate the streets. These days everything lights up: offices, shops and residential buildings. On front door Americans like to hang Christmas or New Year's wreaths outside their homes. They also tend to shower each other with a ton of gifts. To do this, before Christmas, most stores lower prices, and then many goods can be bought several times cheaper than usual.

Celebrating Christmas at home also takes place with family and close relatives. Roast turkey or goose flaunts on the table, complemented by salads and appetizers, as well as pudding or pie.

France

Traditions of celebrating Christmas on December 25, of course, exist in Catholic France, and they are quite typical, including:

• installation of a spruce tree decorated with toys and balls;
• arrangement of a Christmas “nativity scene” in the house;
• performing a small performance in the church on a Christmas theme.

But the French also have their own specific traditions, some of which are quite old. So, at Christmas, the French chose the log they liked most, solemnly walked around the festive table with it, and even with sentences, and only then sent it to the fireplace. Nowadays it is difficult to find a log, so it was replaced with a similar-looking roll, which, instead of ending up in the fireplace, becomes a holiday treat.

The French are famous gourmets, so they pay special attention to the festive table, displaying turkey, champagne, sweets and various dishes on it.

Italy

Christmas, which also falls on December 25 in Italy, is celebrated in a more religious context. Here you can rarely see St. Nicholas, and more often Christmas “nativity scenes” are staged, reenacting the birth of Jesus. Live performances or simply figures are present in all public places: in churches, squares, fountains, shop windows, and homes.

And another important Christmas character here is the witch on a broom – La Befana. But you shouldn’t expect any unpleasant surprises from her, since this witch is kind. It is believed that she delivers gifts to Italian children, so they prefer the witch to Santa Claus, so his role is secondary. The Italians call him Bobbo Natale.

Getting to Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica is quite difficult - tickets must be booked several months in advance. Those less fortunate can watch the service on a large screen installed in St. Peter's Square.

Austria

It’s also easy to guess what date Christmas is celebrated in Austria, December 25th. Preparations for the holiday begin a month before its onset. At the end of November, Advent is announced - the Nativity fast, and with it the anticipation of the approaching celebration. In houses during this period, classic Christmas wreaths with 4 candles are made. On the first Sunday of Lent, only one candle is lit, on the next – two, then three, and on the last Sunday of Advent, on the eve of Christmas, all the candles in the wreath are already burning brightly.

Throughout Austria, holiday markets operate in the weeks leading up to Christmas - this tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. At these bazaars, beautifully painted stalls are installed that sell various sweets: beautifully shaped cookies, lollipops, aromatic mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.

Austrians prefer to decorate the Christmas tree not with balls and garlands, but with delicious decorations - marzipan and chocolate, which they are very proud of here. The Christmas table in Austria must include perfectly cooked carp and spicy pastries.

Greece

Some compatriots are surprised when Christmas is celebrated in Greece, because it is largely an Orthodox country, but here Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and also in close family circle.

A Christmas tree is decorated in the house, and the gifts of Greek nature are displayed on the Christmas table - figs, nuts, raisins, fruits and other sweets. But the main dish is the roasted turkey. Housewives bake sweet cookies with almonds and melomacarons - honey cookies - in advance. The Greeks also bake Christopsomo, which is reminiscent of our Easter cake - a sweet sponge cake made from yeast dough with the addition of wine, butter, almonds and several aromatic spices. The baked goods are decorated with a cross, and a walnut in the shell is inserted into its center.

At Christmas, Greeks give their neighbors household items, books, clothes, children's toys, and sometimes just envelopes with money. During the holiday week, it is customary to sing Christmas carols. In some places, young people still go to caroling, but for this they receive from the spectators not treats, like ours, but simply money.

Finland

It’s interesting how Finns celebrate Christmas, especially considering that Joulupukki (aka Father Frost, aka Santa Claus) has been officially registered in the north of the country since 1984 - in Lapland, near the Arctic Circle. Any child from any corner of the world who has sent a message to Santa Claus in Lapland can count on his response.

In the old days, Christmas in Finland was celebrated a little earlier, and the treat in those days was pig's feet and Christmas beer. Nowadays, Finns celebrate this holiday on December 25th. But it is customary here to bring a Christmas tree into the house no earlier than Christmas Eve, and in general, this tradition appeared in Finland during the period when it was part of the Russian Empire (19th century).

On December 25, in the morning, the whole Finnish family quickly decorates the Christmas tree, after which many of them go to church. Then you can enjoy a steaming session in the sauna.

Steamed and clean Finns sit down to the festive table in the evening. On this day they prefer to drink mulled wine. At Christmas, housewives prepare ham, baked according to a special recipe, which is accompanied by rice or carrot porridge. Moreover, there is a secret in the porridge - whoever gets an almond grain on his plate will have good luck next year.

The day after Christmas in Finland is the feast of St. Stephen, who is the patron saint of horses. St. Lucia is especially revered by the Finns at Christmas.

Estonia

Christmas celebrations in Estonia have retained their flavor and unique customs. On the eve of the holiday, people read the Christmas prayer - this tradition originated in the Middle Ages. Then the church sought in this way to reconcile the eternally warring barons, at least on the eve of such a big holiday. So this prayer has survived in Estonia to this day; it contains a call not to offend anyone - neither people nor animals, to be able to forgive, to be attentive, to take care of both loved ones and complete strangers, especially the elderly.

Like the Finns, Estonians cannot imagine Christmas without a bath, because they believe that bathing in these last days of the year allows you to cure all ailments and kindles an “inner fire” that will warm a person from within throughout the coming year.

The Christmas table in Estonia should be plentiful - starting from Christmas Eve, gluttony is given free rein. On the Estonian table you can see traditional sausages, pork and homemade beer.

Israel

Many people wonder if Jews celebrate Christmas? As you know, the main religion in Israel is Judaism, however, the Nativity of Christ is celebrated quite widely here. Of course, the main festive ceremony is held where the story of the birth of Jesus Christ began - in Bethlehem. There is a Church of the Nativity in the city, where mass Christmas services are held. It is headed by the Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem. There are several important points in the ritual:

• the patriarch heads to the altar, on which lies the Star of Bethlehem prepared in advance;
• on this star he places a sculpture of a baby;
• both objects are transferred together to the manger, where they will remain until the feast of the Epiphany.

There are two dates for celebrating Christmas in Israel - December 25 and January 7, depending on the religion. The Orthodox celebration begins on January 6 with a large procession led by the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. She is on her way from the Old City to Bethlehem. The procession is attended by beautifully dressed Palestinian children, and the procession is accompanied by the sounds of drums and wind instruments.

Dominican Republic

If closer to the New Year you suddenly find yourself in the Dominican Republic, then you will probably be interested in the question of how Christmas is celebrated in the Dominican Republic. But this holiday in a tropical country looks very unusual to our eyes - no hint of frost, snow, ice slides or other signs of winter. However, all these factors do not prevent local residents from fully devoting themselves to the joyful celebration of Christmas.

At the beginning of December, sales and special fairs begin here, where Dominicans large quantities they buy souvenirs, gifts, treats and other holiday items. It is also customary here to attend church, but in the morning. Also, the inhabitants of the island sit down at the family holiday table. To celebrate Christmas with loved ones, many Dominicans have to return from other countries.

For the festive table, they prepare a pig or turkey, baked on a spit, and wash down the dishes with anything: cola, coconut milk, beer or wine. After dinner, the islanders take to the streets to join in the mass celebrations, fireworks, Latin dances, carnivals and continue the celebration.

Portugal

The majority of the Portuguese continue to be devout Catholics, so the way Christmas is celebrated in Portugal is not too different from the celebration in most Western European countries.

This first winter holiday is the most important of the year for them and it is also celebrated in the family circle. Many families collectively visit churches to hear the “rooster mass” (here they believe that people learned about the birth of the Messiah precisely because of his cry). Returning from church, everyone sits down at the festive table. Young people often prefer dancing and having fun with friends and sometimes strangers around the fires over a feast.

Many national dishes are prepared here for the festive table, among which must-have octopus with rice, baked kid, roast lamb, and for dessert - baked goods (bolorei cake). They drink wonderful Portuguese wines at the table.

Sweden

Swedish Christmas is perhaps the longest, as it lasts from December 13th to January 13th. Moreover, such a scale has been observed here for a whole millennium. Swedes expect gifts from the Christmas gnome - an analogue of our brownie. According to legend, he lives in the underground of every house.

Christmas in Sweden is symbolized by the figure of a goat, which is made from straw every year. This tradition has its roots in Norse mythology. The first public Christmas goat was installed in the town of Gavl in 1966. True, not everyone loves this symbol, so opponents of the goat strive to destroy it in any way - steal, break, burn. As a result, out of 45 installed in different years in Gavle, 28 goats were vandalized. Statistics also confirm that the population of Sweden is divided approximately equally in relation to this mythological character: one half considers it a completely acceptable symbol of Christmas, while the other sees it as diabolical and seeks to destroy it.

Denmark

In Denmark, preparations for the upcoming Christmas begin on the first Friday of November. It is on this day that the first dark, sweetish Christmas beer of the year appears on sale, and the shelves of all stores begin to be full of Christmas paraphernalia; the persistent aroma of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves can be heard from the confectionery shops.

Danish streets begin to smell like almonds, street markets open where fluffy pine trees, fir trees or cypress trees are sold. Squares and streets are decorated with garlands, silk and paper red hearts, and straw goats. Near the town hall on the main square there is a main city ​​tree, under which they place a large transparent box for donations intended for children from poor countries.

At Christmas, housewives bake “Yule boars” - loaves in the shape of a boar. On the first day of Christmas week, a thick candle with divisions marked on it is lit - when it burns down to the first division, it is extinguished, and the next day it is lit again until it burns down to the next division, and so on.

Iceland

In Iceland they also begin to prepare in advance for the bright holiday of Christmas. So, on December 12, children's shoes appear on windowsills, the owners of which expect gifts to appear in them. Icelandic children are lucky - they are given gifts not only by Santa Claus, but also by 13 other Christmas characters, who simultaneously look like people and trolls. For two weeks they will put something in their shoe every night. Naughty people who made their mark in the past year bad behavior, instead of a gift they will find a potato, and those who were completely intolerable will be awarded Grila - a three-eyed cat with protruding teeth and warts. There is a legend regarding the last character, according to which Gryla on Christmas night can drag away children who have not been given new clothes.

On Christmas Eve, Icelanders cook partridge, which has long been a Christmas dish here. It is known that partridges run more because they fly poorly, so catching them was not difficult, and such a treat became available even to the poor who did not have guns.

Another old Christmas tradition is making sheet bread. Since cereals do not grow in Iceland, grain was always brought here by sea and was very expensive. Therefore, the flour dough was almost precious - housewives rolled it out very thinly and then folded it into Christmas symbolic figures. For dessert on the Christmas table they serve rice pudding with an almond in the center.

On Christmas night, a church mass is broadcast on the radio, but television temporarily stops working.

Argentina

In Argentina, where they also celebrate Christmas, it is also a family affair, home holiday. All close relatives gather in the house of one of them, where a festive table is prepared. At midnight, they ceremoniously open a fizzy drink (usually cider, less often champagne). Then the youth go outside to shoot at balloons or set off fireworks and explode firecrackers. Especially believers go to church.

On Christmas Eve, the working day is in most cases shortened, and on December 25, life seems to come to a standstill - all kiosks, shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs are closed. Argentines like to put “Russian salad” on the Christmas table (somewhat reminiscent modern version our Olivier), as well as salad with tomatoes and lettuce, marinated chicken and Argentine asado.

In Argentina, it is customary to decorate the Christmas tree rather modestly, using balls of only 1-2 colors.

In which country did you celebrate the most interesting Christmas? Which country's traditions do you like? Tell us about it in the comments, we are very interested in your opinion.

Based on the fact that the majority of European countries are either Catholic or Protestant, we can conclude that Christmas in Europe will be celebrated on December 25, 2018. Although the date of celebration of Catholic Christmas does not coincide with the Orthodox one, the meaning of this event remains unchanged.

The date of the Christmas celebration on December 25 was established at the 3rd Ecumenical Church Council in the 5th century. Since then, the eve of the holiday and Christmas can be called the most fun, but also the most hectic period of the year for Europeans.

It is a well-known fact that Catholics and Orthodox Christians have different dates for celebrating Christmas. The reason for this is the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in the 16th century, which replaced the Julian calendar (established by Julius Caesar in 46 BC). A similar decision was made by Pope Gregory XIII due to some inaccuracy of the Julian calendar.

But in Russia and other Orthodox countries they continued to use the previous calendar, since the Orthodox Church did not agree with the changes of the Catholic Church. Therefore, Catholics and Protestants celebrate the big holiday on December 25, and Orthodox Christians celebrate it on January 7. The only exceptions are certain autocephalous orthodox church, who also celebrate Christmas on December 25th.

Another difference among Western Christians is the absence of a strict Nativity fast, like Orthodox believers. However, Catholics observe Advent, starting from the 4th Sunday before the feast. Believers should devote this period to spiritual cleansing. The weeks of Advent are called differently:

• iron (first);
• bronze (second);
• silver (third);
• gold (fourth).

On December 25, it is customary to hold 3 masses in Catholic churches (night, morning and afternoon). It is noteworthy that among Western Christians Christmas is the main church holiday, in contrast to the Orthodox, who reverence Easter more.

Traditions of celebrating Christmas in Europe

Residents of European countries prepare in advance for Christmas celebrations. Holiday fairs begin to operate in cities, buildings are decorated with bright garlands and Christmas trees. Traditionally, children go from house to house singing songs and wishes, and the owners treat them to baked goods and sweets. In addition, in European countries there are indispensable attributes of Christmas:

• An advent wreath is made from Christmas tree branches and twigs. It symbolizes not only Christmas, but also the fact that this holiday is worth spending with your family. It can be hung on the door, placed on the windowsill or holiday table;
• Candles are often used in white or red. Europeans light it by the fireplace, on the windowsill or on the holiday table;
• Special red socks are usually hung over the fireplace or next to the holiday tree and filled with small gifts “from Santa Claus.” According to legend, Santa enters the house through the chimney and quietly leaves gifts for obedient children.

SWEDEN
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Epiphany (January 6)
3. Long Friday (Friday before Easter)
4. Easter
5. Monday after Easter
6. First of May

8. Pentecost (varies)
9. Swedish National Day (June 6)
10. Midsummer (Saturday between June 20-26)
11. All Saints' Day (Saturday between October 31-November 6)
12. Christmas (December 25)
13. The day after Christmas (December 26)
TOTAL: 13 holidays, 9 of which are church holidays.

NORWAY
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Palm Sunday(varies)
3. Maundy Thursday (varies)
4. Good Friday (varies)
5. 1st day of Easter (varies)
6. 2nd day of Easter (varies)
7. May 1 (Public holiday)
8. Constitution Day (May 17)
9. Ascension of Christ (varies)
10. 1st day of Trinity (varies)
11. 2nd day of Trinity (varies)
12. Christmas (December 24)
13. 1st day of Christmas (December 25), the 2nd day of Christmas is also celebrated.
TOTAL: Out of 13 holidays, 10 are church holidays.

FINLAND
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Epiphany or Epiphany (January 6).
3. Good Friday (Friday before Easter, varies)
4. Easter (This holiday has 4 days off - from Friday to Monday)
5. Bright Monday (Monday after Easter, varies)
6. May 1 (Spring Festival "Vapunpäivä", Walpurgis Night or Spring Festival, also known as May Day)
7. Ascension Ascension (40th day after Easter)
8. Trinity or Pentecost (50 day after Easter)
9. Equinox Day (Friday between June 19 and 25)
10. Ivan Kupala (Saturday between 20 and 26 June (Ivan’s Day is the second largest and most important holiday in Finland, second only to Christmas. Hence one of the names of the celebration is Kesyaioulu, literally “Summer Christmas”).
11. All Saints' Day (1st Sunday in November)
12. Independence Day (December 6)
13. Christmas Eve (December 24)
14. Christmas (December 25)

TOTAL: Out of 15 holidays, 10 are church holidays.

FRANCE
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Epiphany (January 6)
3. Presentation of the Lord (February 2)
4. International Women's Day (March 8)
5. Labor Day, Workers' Solidarity Day (May 1)
6. Victory Day (May 8)
7. Fat Tuesday (The last day before the start of the Catholic Lent, analogous Slavic holiday Maslenitsa)
8. Easter
9. First Monday after Easter
10. Ascension (varies)
11. Trinity Day (varies)
12. Music Day in France (June 21, numerous parades and concerts are held throughout the country, during which music of all genres is performed - both by professional groups and amateurs)
13. Bastille Day (July 14)
14. Dormition of the Virgin Mary (August 15)
15. All Saints' Day (November 1)
16. End of the First World War (November 11)
17. Christmas (December 25)
TOTAL: Out of 17 holidays, 10 are church holidays.

BELGIUM
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Easter (varies)
3. Easter Monday (varies)
4. Labor Day (May 1)
5. Ascension of the Lord (varies)
6. Trinity Day (varies)
7. Holy Spirit Day (varies)
8. National Day of Belgium (July 21)

10. All Saints Day (November 1)
11. Armistice Day (November 11)
12. Christmas (December 25)

GERMANY (there are many holidays of individual lands, weekends of most lands are collected here)
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Epiphany (January 6)
3. Easter (in some lands Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are declared holidays)
4. Easter (Water Monday)
5. Spring and Labor Festival (May 1)

7. Trinity Day (varies)

9. Ascension of Our Lady (August 15)
10. German Unity Day (October 3)
11. Reformation Day (October 31)
12. All Saints' Day (November 1)
13. Christmas. 1st Day of Christmas (December 25, 2nd Day of Christmas December 26)
TOTAL: Of the 13 holidays, 10 are church holidays

SPAIN
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Epiphany (January 6)
3. Easter (In some areas Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday are celebrated)
4. Labor Day (May 1)
5. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (August 15)
6. National Day of Spain (October 12)
7. All Saints' Day (November 1)
8. Spanish Constitution Day (December 6)

10. Christmas (December 25)
TOTAL: Out of 10 holidays, 6 are church holidays.

ITALY
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Epiphany (January 6)
3. Easter
4. Easter Monday
5. Day of Liberation from Fascism (April 25, End of World War II in Italy, 1945)
6. Labor Day (May 1)
7. Day of the Proclamation of the Republic (June 2, Birth of the Italian Republic, 1946)
8. All Saints' Day (November 1)
9. Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (December 8)
10. Nativity of Christ (December 25)
11. St. Stephen's Day (December 26)
TOTAL: Out of 11 holidays, 7 are church holidays.

NETHERLANDS
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Good Friday (varies)
3. Easter
4. King's Day (April 27)
5. Memorial Day (May 4)
6. Liberation Day (May 5)
7. Ascension of the Lord (varies)
8. Trinity Day (varies)
9. Nativity of Christ (December 25, December 26)
TOTAL: Out of 9 holidays, 5 are church holidays

POLAND
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Epiphany (January 6)
3. Easter (First day of Easter, Second day of Easter)
4. Labor Day (May 1)
5. Third of May (In memory of the Constitution of May 3, 1791, May 3)
6. First Day of Pentecost (varies)
7. Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (varies)
8. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15)
9. All Saints' Day (November 1)
10. National holiday independence (November 11, in memory of gaining independence from the Russian Empire, Austria and Prussia in 1918)
11. First day of Christmas (December 25)
12. Second Day of Christmas (December 26)
TOTAL: Of the 12 holidays, 8 are church holidays.

SWITZERLAND (list holidays in most Swiss cantons)
1. New Year (January 1)
2. St. Berthold's Day (January 2, a holiday celebrated in most cantons of Switzerland in honor of the founder of the city of Bern)
3. Good Friday (varies)
4. Easter (varies)
5. Monday of Holy Week (first after Easter)
6. Labor Day (May 1)
7. Ascension of the Lord (varies)
8. Pentecost and Spiritual Day (varies)
9. Feast of Corpus Christi (varies)
10. Swiss national holiday (August 1)
11. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (August 15)
12. All Saints Day (November 1)
13. Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8)
14. Christmas (December 25)
15. Boxing Day (December 26, can be called a church day)
TOTAL: Out of 15 holidays, 12 are church holidays.

AUSTRIA (Holidays in Austria are determined by federal or state law).
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Epiphany (January 6)
3. St. Joseph the Betrothed (March 19)
4. Easter (celebrated Good Friday and Easter Monday)
5. Labor Day (May 1)
6. Ascension of the Lord (varies)
7. Trinity Monday (varies)
8. Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (varies)
9. Ascension of Our Lady (August 15)
10. National holiday (October 26)
11. All Saints' Day (November 1)
12. Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (December 8)
13. Christmas Eve (December 24)
14. Christmas (December 25)
15. Saint's Day Stefana (December 26)
16. St. Sylvester's Day (December 31)
TOTAL: Of the 16 holidays, 13 are church holidays

DENMARK
1. New Year (January 1)
2. Maslenitsa (7 weeks before Easter)
3. Maundy Thursday (Thursday of Holy Week, varies)
4. Good Friday (Friday of Holy Week, varies)
5. Easter (In Denmark, Easter is celebrated for two days, Easter Monday)
6. Labor Day (May 1)
7. Constitution Day (June 5)
8. Great Day of Prayer (4th Friday after Easter)
9. Ascension (40 days after Easter)
10. Trinity Day (7 weeks after Easter, in Denmark Trinity is celebrated for two days).
11. Saint's Day Hans, Summer Solstice (June 24, the Danes call John the Baptist Saint Hans and celebrate the day of this saint during the summer solstice).
12. St. Martin's Day (10)
13. Christmas Eve (December 24)
14. Christmas (December 25, in Denmark Christmas is celebrated for three days)
TOTAL: Of the 14 holidays, 11 are church holidays.

RUSSIA
1. New Year (1-6 and 8 January)
2. Christmas (January 7)
3. Defender of the Fatherland Day (February 22-23)
4. International Women's Day (8-10 March)
5. Spring and Labor Festival (May 1-4)
6. Victory Day (May 9-11)
7. Russia Day (June 12-15)
8. Day national unity(November 1-4)
TOTAL: Out of 8 holidays, 1 is church holiday. Please note the number of holidays for each holiday).