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 Ded Moroz, or 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 coming of the New Year. Instead of a Christmas tree, they decorated a New Year's tree. And instead of Santa Claus, 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 of 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.