The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1904-12-24
RUSSIAN CuRIsrNAs.

AARNAAHN A#AHhAtA sHfAEfs
because the Greek church never
adopted the Georgian calendar but
olipgs TO the old way OF computing
date. the Russian Christmas does
not fall on December %. but On
January z
There are Christmas trees and
presents Tor the littlc ones. but no
stockings are hung up. for In the
Russian celebration OF the great
day there Is no such thing as Santa
Claus coming down the chimney
Costly presents are scarcely known
In Russia. the gift-mRklng heinE
confined almost exclusively 10 the
children. The presents are placed
under the tree. and the latter liz
up with candles. and on the top
there Is generally a statute 81 good
St Nicholas. who Is practically the
same as Santa Claus.
The people attend services or
mass In the church in tho morning.
aud the rest OF the day feast and
entertain their friends In royal
fashion. Prior TO Christmas day
there Is a period Of five OF aIK
weeks fasting among the common
people
Christmas there Is celebrated
three days. the 9th. eth and Sth.
and during that time no one does
any work. Il Is not a religious oc-
oasioa particularly. though many
attend high mass In eommemora-
ton OF the birth OF Christ
After the long fasting there l.
much eating and drinking Roast
pts is the main part Of the feast
There is much indulgence tn the
cup that cheers.
Among the most popular things
done Is for the young girl Ia take
hand glass and hold IL up before
her. either In the house or outside
1T matters not-the legend stating
that the first face OF man she
sees in IL will be that OF her future
husband
Another favorite pastime Is Tor the
young women % wind cord or wire
around the fences and gates o. cot
taEes or houses at night. 80 as 10
entAngie the youns men. the legend
reading that the first OF the stcrner
sex To come out and trip or run
against the winding cords being de-
stined 10 become the husband Of the
girl who spread the network
Another faYorite pastime With
which Is connected an old legend Is
that Of young girls asking the first
man they meet on Christmas morn
his name IL Is supposed that he
will b. her husband.
Christmas among the orthodox
Greeks Is not nearly SO important
a day as Is Easter. ON the latter
the most elaborate services are per-
formed. services that have scarcely
a parallel In ornatescss and maEni-
ficence. as well as soiomnIty. The
priests don brilliant robes and cost
ly raiment. and the churches are
bowers 81 eolors and flowers.
JAPANESE CHRISTMAS.
To the japanese cur Christmas Is
little known They celebrate. how
ever. a day very much like TO
Nehan. the anniversary OF the
birth Of Buddha It Is an occasion
on which every Buddhist house IL
IN holiday trim. aud Eaily dressed.
happy-faeed children flock the
streets
In a certain meaning 4 Il CnrIst-
mas day % all Buddhlata-this
birthday Of Buddha. the founder OF
Japan religion. Every temple. ex-
eeptlng those Of the Mon and Hokke
aects. h0nors II with an important
celebration The founders Of these
two sects are considered By their
followers 20 be themselves the med
iators. instead 81 nuddha. between
Amida and the people. aud a. a
matter q course Buddha's birthday
IS 70 them o. secondary Importance.
The chief feature OF the eelsbra-
ton az the temples consists Of the
crowds In a booth dipping water
with little bamboo clippers and
pouring It over the immage of Bud
dha. standing in the water
The booth IL one built only for
this celebration. Every Buddhist
temple has one. some simple and
some very elaborate. but every one
draped alike with certain eolors
and the roof matched with fresh
flowers.
II In representative Of one Of the
beautiful legends that gather about