Святки - Christmas Days

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Svyatki - СвÑ�тки (saints, holidays, winter holidays, holy days) - twelve days of Christmas - РождеÑ�тво (Christmas tide) to Epiphany - Крещение. All the days are filled with amazing joy of Christmas.

picture from the animation 'Christmas Eve' (1951) based on the story of N.Gogol

From the interview with priest Alexander Ilyashenko, (father of 12 children and grandfather of 31 grandchildren) These days are ideal for devoting it to friends, family, children and parents, and those lonely people who have no family. "Behold what is good or what is nice, but let brothers live in peace" - says the prophet David.

Christmas - is a children's holiday, and the joy of these days will pass on to children. How subtly noticed Dostoevsky, even if life unfold person in the other direction, in a difficult moment, as an inspiration, it will stir childhood impression and it turns out to be life-saving - it will help to make the right decision.

«Ð—найте же, что ничего нет выше, и Ñ�ильнее, и здоровее, и полезнее впредь длÑ� жизни, как хорошее какое-нибудь воÑ�поминание, и оÑ�обенно вынеÑ�енное еще из детÑ�тва, из родительÑ�кого дома. Вам много говорÑ�Ñ‚ про воÑ�питание ваше, а вот какое-нибудь Ñ�такое прекраÑ�ное, Ñ�вÑ�тое воÑ�поминание, Ñ�охраненное Ñ� детÑ�тва, может быть, Ñ�амое лучшее воÑ�питание и еÑ�Ñ‚ÑŒ. ЕÑ�ли много набрать таких воÑ�поминаний Ñ� Ñ�обою в жизнь, то Ñ�паÑ�ен человек на вÑ�ÑŽ жизнь». (Ф.Ðœ. ДоÑ�тоевÑ�кий «Ð‘ратьÑ� Карамазовы»).

Orthodox Christians at Christmas have always tried to find time for charity. These days, are perfect for sharing the joy of Christmas with the people of Christ, making them something good. Many people attend these days hospitals, orphanages, organize Christmas concerts, congratulations.

Traditionally, looking back to ancient times, we learn that this holiday had a lot of entertainments, not all of them are still popular.

People used to say about this period:

• At Christmastime wolves marry. Ð�а СвÑ�тках волки женÑ�Ñ‚Ñ�Ñ� 
• From Christmas to Epiphany to hunt animals and birds sin - the hunter misfortune happens. От РождеÑ�тва до КрещениÑ� охотитьÑ�Ñ� на зверей и птиц грех — Ñ� охотником неÑ�чаÑ�тье Ñ�лучитÑ�Ñ�  
• Christmas passed, sorry to separate, Shrovetide comes  - tie to ride" - «ÐŸÑ€Ð°ÑˆÐ»Ð¸ СвÑ�тки, жаль раÑ�Ñ�татьÑ�Ñ�, пришла МаÑ�лина — кататьÑ�Ñ�» (воронеж.).

Mythological significance  of Christmastide determined their "borderline" character - this time the sun turns from winter to summer, daylight moves from darkness to light, the old ends and a new year is born the Savior of the world, and chaos followed by divine ordering.

These days are also perfect for caroling - кол�дование

Carol ( Kalyada, Koleda,- Кол�да) - traditional celebration of the Slavic people, associated with the winter solstice, and later dedicated to Christmas and Christmas time. Inherent attributes of the holiday is changing - р�жение (mummers using skins, masks and horns), caroling, Christmas carols songs, bestowing, youth games, fortune telling.

Here is a nice episode of caroling on Christmas Eve of the famous story by Nicholay Gogol 'Christmas Eve' - "�очь перед Рожде�твом"


Here is one of the most famous carols, 


And in Jerusalem early ringing
Rejoice, rejoice  earth, the Son of God's was born

Come marvel at the star of the Miraculous
Rejoice, rejoice but earth, the Son of God's was born 

How to sing it




Text is below 

Ð� в ИеруÑ�алиме рано звонили, 

 � в Иеру�алиме рано зазвонилиРадуй��, да радуй�� земле, Сын Божий народи��Выйди подиви�� на звезду чуде�нуРадуй��, да радуй�� земле, Сын Божий народи��Звезда воз�и� над вертепом �таРадуй��, да радуй�� земле, Сын Божий народи��Трём цар�м дорогу в вертеп показаРадуй��, да радуй�� земле, Сын Божий народи��Цари приидоша дари прине�ошаРадуй��, да радуй�� земле, Сын Божий народи��Имут бо приити три праздника в го�тиРадуй��, да радуй�� земле, Сын Божий народи��Первый убо праздник - Рожде�тво Хри�товоРадуй��, да радуй�� земле, Сын Божий народи��� вторый же праздник - �в�того Ва�или�Радуй��, да радуй�� земле, Сын Божий народи��� третий же праздник - �в�тое КрещениеРадуй��, да радуй�� земле, Сын Божий народи��И на �том �лове бывайте здоровыРадуй��, да радуй�� земле, Сын Божий народи��Хри�то� Бог народи��