CVC's Christmas in Russia

Christmas in RUSSIA

christmas wreath

 Moscow, RUSSIA


                                           Vol. 2, No. 3 - Christmas
 
"Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him."

Dear Friends,
The song of the angels is echoed in many languages around the world. In Russia it was first heard over a thousand years ago; this year again it will be heard both in December, when churches here celebrate "Western" Christmas, and in January, when the Orthodox churches, following the Orthodox calendar, have their own celebrations. This Christmas also reminds us of the song of Mary, who, in the striking words of a contemporary translation, sings: "He knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud."

These prophetic words have been realized here since 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed and its borders opened to the West. The door is open not only for us; it is also open for many others who have come: some to bring good news, others a false gospel, and still others are only interested in what they can get for themselves. It is sad to note that the fall of Communism has left many Russians in misery, while a few have profited handsomely from the new opportunities. The next part of Mary's song must still be fulfilled: "The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold." We tell our students that the misery of many, alongside the ostentatious lifestyle of a few, is not the way it should be. Amid all the screaming billboards, ours is a simple message which is scarcely heard.

Our students live in a moral vacuum. Our own experience in the classroom confirms this. Students regularly cheat in examinations. They see nothing wrong with extra-marital sex. "It's normal," as one student put it. They profess no attachment to values that motivated their parents or grandparents, nor do many identify themselves with the Russian Orthodox Church. A recent survey showed that of Russians under thirty only 25% professed Russian Orthodoxy, while of those over sixty 60% did. This is the context in which we speak about the One who came to transform all of life.

At Christmas it is good to remember that we are here because God loved the world enough to send his Son to save it. Christ was not ashamed to come and dwell among us. Life is not always easy for us in Moscow. Aside from the crime that we hear about daily, there are less obvious dangers posed by air and water pollution. Yet we know that God protects us. We are here to serve him, no matter what happens.

Thank God for sending Jesus, his great gift, of whom the angels sang. Pray that Christmas celebrations everywhere may focus on this event.
Thank God for what he accomplished in Russia in the last few years. Pray that the poor here may also enjoy the banquet which God has prepared for them.
Thank God for our students, and pray that they may confess him and walk as he directs them. Pray for us as we teach them. And pray for all who are working here to introduce a new generation to their Christian heritage; pray for their protection and for ours.
We, too, are praying for you. We are saddened by news of illness among our friends and supporters. We pray for God's grace and his presence in your lives. May you experience the peace of God during this season. May your Christmas celebration be filled with joy. And may God bless and protect all of us as we serve him in the new year.

Together with you in his service,

A. and W. H.

From:   Beverly Nickles, 75557,3603
        Orest Holovaty, INTERNET:orest@glasnet.ru
To:     CVC, cvchs@cvc.org
Date:   Mon, Dec 8, 1997, 10:22 AM

RE:     Prayer cover for Russian attorneys

Please remember in your prayers two Russian Christian attorneys --- Anatoly
Pchelintsev (Chel-int-sef) and Vladimir Ryakhovsky (Re-hof-ski).  These two
attorneys are leading the fight against the discriminative new religion law
and defending rights of believers and churches.

Opposition against all nonOrthodox churches and organizations seems to be
rapidly intensifying. And the FSB (formerly called KGB) appears to be
becoming increasingly involved in this effort.

Please join me in praying for the Lord's protection of these two men, their
families and those who work with them.  Pray for the Lord's blessing on
their work, and for spiritual and physical strength and wisdom.

God bless you.

Beverly

Russia

St. Nicholas is especially popular in Russia. The legend is that the 11th-century Prince Vladimir traveled to Constantinople to be baptized, and returned with stories of miracles performed by St. Nicholas of Myra. Since then many Eastern Orthodox Churches have been named for the saint, and to this day, Nicholas is one of the most common names for Russian boys. The feast of St. Nicholas (December 6) was observed for many centuries, but after the communist revolution, the celebration of the feast was suppressed. During the communist years St. Nicholas was transformed into Grandfather Frost.

Other religious traditions were suppressed during the communist era. Before the revolution, a figure called Babouschka would bring gifts for the children. Like Italy's La Befana, the story is that Babouschka failed to give food and shelter to the three wise men during their journey to visit the Christ Child. According to tradition, she still roams the countryside searching for the Christ Child and visiting the homes of children during the Christmas season. Babouschka never completely disappeared, and now in the post-communist era, has returned openly. Christmas trees were also banned by the Communist regime, but people continued to trim their "New Year's" trees.

Most Christian Russians belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church, and it is customary to fast until after the first church service on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve dinner is meatless but festive. The most important ingredient is a special porridge called kutya. It is made of wheatberries or other grains which symbolize hope and immortality, and honey and poppy seeds which ensure happiness, success, and untroubled rest. A ceremony involving the blessing of the home is frequently observed. A priest visits the home accompanied by boys carrying vessels of holy water, and a little water is sprinkled in each room. The kutya is eaten from a common dish to symbolize unity.

Please send feedback to Bill Drennon
If you have good information on how Christmas is being celebrated in Russia, we would publish it here.

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