When is Christmas celebrated in Russia and why is the date different for some countries around the world?

How do Russians celebrate Christmas?

Under the brutal rule of the anti-religious Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated and the state encouraged people to celebrate New Year.

In fact, Christmas was banned in 1929 and so were Christmas Trees until 1935 - when they turned into 'New Year' Trees.

Russians were free to celebrate once again after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, but it's still overshadowed by big New Year celebrations, which are more like our Christmas celebrations. For example, Ded Moroz ('Grandfather Frost') and his granddaughter Snegurochka brings presents to children at New Year.

But Christmas still has its traditions. On Christmas Eve many Russians don't eat meat and instead enjoy borscht (beetroot soup), vegetable pies, porridge and salad. A sweet drink made of dried fruit and honey called 'vzvar' is often drunk at the end of the meal.

A roast is usually served on Christmas Day and is usually accompanied by meat dumplings and afterwards children in some regions go carol singing around the homes of friends and family.

Is Christmas celebrated on another date anywhere else?

Coptic Christians in Egypt, Ethiopia and Eritrea use the Coptic calendar, also called the Alexandrian calendar.

This calendar is based on the ancient Egyptian calendar and similar to the Julian Calendar used by the Orthodox Church. They celebrate Christmas on January 7.

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