Who does not like these bright and memorable holidays? If such people exist, there are very few of them. It is on these significant dates that meetings occur with friends, relatives and just acquaintances. A visit, a trip to the countryside - we always try to coincide with these events to some holiday.
January celebrations
Starting from the very first month of the year, we begin to vigorously celebrate certain celebrations. Holidays in January in Russia are literally “crammed” with significant dates.
During this period, many important holidays are celebrated, which are confined to different categories. These are holidays celebrated at the state level, and religious dates that are celebrated by the Orthodox Church, as well as professional events and days of military glory.
State
It’s worth starting with one of the most anticipated holidays that are celebrated at the official level. In January, the government approved weekends and holidays. These days, schoolchildren and students are resting, employees of enterprises are given a day off.
The following days are considered in January:
- 1st of January. The holiday has been celebrated since 1898, this day is accompanied by numerous night festivities. But this was not always the case, in 1929 the USSR government canceled the day off on this day and this number became the usual working date. And only since 1947 this day officially began to be considered a holiday again. Also, few people know that January 2 was not always a day off, but only since 1992. Until that time, January 2 was considered a normal working day. The New Year holidays, which lasted from January 1 to 5, appeared only from 2005, and later (from 2012) they were added on January 6 and 8. Therefore, the New Year holidays last 10 days.
- January 7th. One of the few religious celebrations that is held at the state level. This day is considered a day off. This holiday in Orthodox Christianity is considered Christmas and is officially celebrated at the state level since 1991.
The above celebrations are celebrated throughout the country. These days, many children's morning performances are held, where children have fun with Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden, have round dances and, of course, receive long-awaited gifts.
For the same workers who work in continuous production and they have to work these days, an additional payment of hours is provided. For example, working holidays in January are usually paid in double size.
Church celebrations
Holidays in January can be classified by dates that are celebrated in the religious world. Such numbers are not days off (with the exception of the Nativity of Christ), they manage according to their own rules and are widespread among the population of our country.
For example, a holiday such as Christmas, requires the observance of the fast, which runs for 40 days and lasts from November 28 to January 6. Throughout this period, believers should adhere to a certain diet and protect themselves from those foods that are prohibited by the rules of fasting.
On this date, Christmas services are held in the church.
From the point of view of the Orthodox Church, the next significant day in January is considered to be the Baptism of the Lord, which is celebrated on January 19. This date symbolizes the day when Jesus Christ was baptized. On this day, believers try to baptize their loved ones: children, grandchildren. It is believed that the water collected on this day at the time of the church service has healing properties.
Also recently it has become popular to douse with water or plunge into the hole in the holy spring. It is believed that if you carry out such a procedure, you can get rid of all ailments and protect yourself from diseases. This holiday does not fit the category of weekends and holidays in January and is not celebrated at the state level.
Professional
In addition to the above events, holidays in January also include significant dates related to certain activities. Such holidays are called corporate.
These dates are considered:
- January 12th. This is the Day of the prosecutor's office worker, which in recent history originates from 1996. This holiday symbolizes the date of the organization of the post of prosecutor of the Russian Federation, which was established by Peter I in 1722.
- Immediately after the Prosecutor’s Day, a significant date for the press workers (with the same name) follows, it is celebrated on January 13. This holiday is timed to coincide with the first newspaper in Russia in 1703.
- The student celebration, which is celebrated on January 25, should also be noted. This date, which has been celebrated since 2005, is the Day of Russian Students. Celebrated by students of students of all higher educational institutions.
On such days, the day off is not set, they do not cope everywhere. Usually they are celebrated by workers in those industries whose activities are associated with these dates.
Days of Military Glory
Such dates are considered to be periods of significant feats accomplished by the defenders of our country.
One of the main such holidays is the day when during the years of World War II the blockade of Leningrad was lifted. This blockade lasted 872 days and lasted from 09/08/1941 to 01/27/1944. During the years of the blockade, more than 600,000 civilians died. This day is memorable not only for the residents of Leningrad who survived these difficult days, but also for the whole country as a whole.
January 27, this holiday, which is a significant date in our country, is celebrated by honoring all those who died in this terrible period.
War days
January 21 is considered to be the birthday of the engineering troops. These troops were simply indispensable in the construction of river crossings in wartime.
Folk holidays
Holidays in January do not end with the above significant dates. In January, there are still celebrations that celebrate from ancient times and are considered public holidays.
January 6 - is Christmas Eve. On the day, people always cleaned their homes: whitewashed, washed, grated, and cleaned. Met this day clean and dressed up. On January 6, the Christmas fast ends, and the Christmas time begins. On this night, the girls traditionally wondered at their narrowed mum.
January 8 - is a holiday of grandmother’s cereals, is founded and managed in honor of midwives, who traditionally helped women in childbirth.
January 13 - is considered a New Year, only according to the old style. On this day, the celebration is the same as on January 1, only unofficially and without days off.
January 18 - Epiphany Eve is celebrated. It was on this day that the tradition appeared on the night before Epiphany to walk to the river for water. Brought water was protected and used only in special cases. They believed that this water can cure any ailments.
Conclusion
All the January holidays arose a very long time ago, but they still manage to do it, which indicates the popularity of these celebrations and the commitment of the Russian people to the preservation of traditions.
Later, some popular events began to be considered state and began to be considered official holidays for schoolchildren, students and workers. Workers in continuous production these days receive extra pay for their labor. January is rich in holidays and significant dates for the Russian people, with Christmas holidays the celebrations are just beginning.