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Christ is Born! Let Us Glorify Him in Song!
Russian version of Christmas Carols
Svyatki—Christmastide: History and Folk Traditions
What to do during Svyatki
The faithful were instructed to sing of the Nativity and glorify God Who sent Jesus Christ to earth, and attend church services—after all, you won’t spend the whole festive season at the dinner table! Every respectable Christian was expected to attend at least one service during the Christmas season. During this season people would dispense alms among the poor, give presents to children, and help infirm old people more often than during the rest of the year.
Christmas carol-singing is one of the most common customs of the festive season. It is done on the first three days of Christmas (including Christmas Eve, but often beginning from early in the morning of January 7), the first day of the “Old New Year” (from late in the evening of January 13 through January 14), and the Eve of the Lord’s Baptism. (January 19)
Carol-singing includes the performance of good-natured songs—carols (kolyadki in Russian)—in praise of the Savior’s Birth. As a rule, carolers (mostly children) would practice house-to-house singing in small groups. They could wear costumes of all kinds: various animals or beggars. They would sing songs of congratulations and demand treats after their performances. They would also thank the masters of houses for presents by songs.
Not infrequently during their rounds they would perform another festive ritual—“Christoslavlenie” (Russian caroling with the Christmas star). It symbolized the coming of the Magi who heralded the Birth of Jesus Christ. “Russian carolers” (mostly children or young people) would walk in groups of up to fifteen persons in each. By tradition they praised Christ on the first or second day of Christmas. The main attribute of the procession was a small man-made star—a symbol of the star of Bethlehem. “Slavil’shchiki” (Russian carolers) would greet the masters of households with songs, and they in return would give the guests cakes, ring-shaped rolls, spice cakes, or coins.