From
snowy Russia, with its harsh winters and bears, made and painted
by hand, these pieces of art will decorate your home.
Santa
Claus is Grandpa Frost in Russia. Of course, both are of the
same origin and play virtually the same role in Christmas
celebrations of all Christian cultures. The name Grandpa Frost
has a deliberately non-religious connotation, because all
religious traditions and rites, Orthodox Christian included,
were banned from the lives of the Soviet people. But they
were not banished from their minds and hearts. In place of
Christmas, people celebrated the New Year. Instead of a Christmas
tree, they decorated a New Year's tree. And instead of Santa,
children waited for the arrival of Grandpa Frost.
The
prototype of Santa Clause is St. Nicholas of Myra, the most
popular saint in Greek and Russian Orthodoxy. He was famous
for his kindness and love for children. The most famous story
about Nicholas tells of how he helped three poor nobleman's
daughters who were young, and all had suitors but had no dowries.
Because of this, they could not marry. The Bishop Nicholas
was a shy man and did not like to give money directly, so
he thought of a way to give it anonymously.
When
the first daughter was ready to marry, the good bishop tossed
a bag of gold into the house at night. He did the same for
the second daughter. When the third daughter prepared to marry,
the poor father of the three girls was determined to find
out who had been so generous. So he kept watch and saw the
bishop drop another bag of gold into the house. It has been
said that Saint Nicholas climbed on the roof and dropped the
third bag of gold down the chimney where it landed in a stocking
hung to dry, giving us a reason to hang up Christmas stockings
today. When the father saw what had happened, Nicholas begged
him to keep the secret, but, of course, the news got out.
From then on, whenever anyone received an unexpected gift,
they thanked Saint Nicholas.
St.
Nicholas is the saint whom Russians ask for help and protection
during hard times. He is the Patron Saint of Moscow as well
as many other cities in Europe.
Russian
New Year’s is a very jolly holiday. People celebrate
it with their families and friends, throwing great parties.
Grandpa Frost, who lives in deep snowy woods, comes to people
on his sleigh at midnight. The sleigh is pulled by a Troika,
of course. With him, is his granddaughter, Snegurochka. Together,
they bring a large bag of gifts for children and adults. Russian
children wake up very early on January first to look for their
gifts under the tree.
The
original hand made Santa figurines revive the rich Russian
Heritage and reflect the mood of the jolly Russian Christmas.
Let these unique works of art decorate your home, bringing
you back into the atmosphere of eager anticipation of the
Christmas morning.
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