Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!

[n-sane-peace.livejournal.com]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!

I am just curious what the Russian way to say Merry Christmas is?

Thank you all!!
Warmest,
Laura

♥ ♥ ♥

Comments

[tau-lj.livejournal.com]

Merry Christmas - "С Рождеством"

[spiegelland.livejournal.com]

for "Merry Christmas!" we also use "Счастливого Рождества!"

[wire-shock.livejournal.com]

Not very often, I'd say.

[spiegelland.livejournal.com]

here in Estonia it's actually quite popular among russians, as we are used to celebrate catholic christmas, which is more secular compared to orthodox one

[tisoi.livejournal.com]

What is the literal meaning?

[spiegelland.livejournal.com]

"счастливого рождества" is for wishing a "happy christmas"
I assume, orthodox church doesn't operate with such strong "emotions", as religion is not supposed to be joyful.

[tisoi.livejournal.com]

Ah, ok. Thanks. And what is the literal meaning of С Рождеством Христовым? On the birth of Christ?

[spiegelland.livejournal.com]

Yep, that's right, something like - congratulations "on the birth of Christ"

[dark-spectrum.livejournal.com]

I want to point out, that in Russia Christmas is on january 7, because most of the population are members of the orthodox church

[tisoi.livejournal.com]

Do Catholic (Latin and/or Byzantine Rites) Russians say the same thing?

[dark-spectrum.livejournal.com]

I didn't meet much of a catholic people, but as i understand catholic people are using catholic calendar :)

[zveriozha.livejournal.com]

it's the difference between Julian and Gregorian calendars. Has nothing to do with religion in fact. We use the same calendar in everyday life as catholics celebrating X-mas on 25 December. =)

[dark-spectrum.livejournal.com]

i've meant the calendar of religious events

[zveriozha.livejournal.com]

In Gregorian calendar (same as we use) X-mas falls on 25-th December. Eastern Orthodox churches use Julian calendar for X-mas.

[diablo-chan.livejournal.com]

Yes. It's still the same - "С Рождеством"

[zveriozha.livejournal.com]

For many people Christmas isn't really a religious thing. More like a social whatever story lies behind it. Cause of this more and more people celebrate it on 25th.

[dark-spectrum.livejournal.com]

And i think that many are celebrating both dates, but let's face it - those are not the religious people :)

[zveriozha.livejournal.com]

So what? X-mas has also become commercial holiday. And long ago. People just like celebrations. =)

[dark-spectrum.livejournal.com]

Everything now is about commercial, but in the first place it still about religion ^)

[cassandraclue.livejournal.com]

when i was a little kid 25th was for presents, 7th was for church.

[ipodg730.livejournal.com]

Merry Christmas! - С Рождеством Христовым!

[aylie-serinde.livejournal.com]

Счастливого Рождества sounds natural to me.
And an amusing fact: they celebrate X-mas in Japan nowadays quite widely, though they are of other numerous confessions and they pronounce it in a quite funny way - Meri kurisumasu (as they do not have separate letters except 'N' in their alphabet so they add vowels where they need it to get syllables)
^__^

[tisoi.livejournal.com]

Hawaiian is the same way.. As in the popular song.- Mele Kalikimaka.

[alekhi.livejournal.com]

Поздревляю с праздником Рождества и с Новим Годом!

[oryx_and_crake]

поздрАвляю
новЫм