In Belarus, Christmas is officially celebrated on January 7, but Catholics, of whom there are many in this country, celebrate it on December 25. At the same time, the days of the winter solstice fall, revered by the ancient ancestors of the Slavs, and still beloved for the hot fires in the December night and noisy fun that drives away evil spirits. This mixture of winter holidays of all faiths and religions, called Kolyada, runs from the Catholic vigil, December 24, to the Orthodox baptism, January 19. And Christmas in Minsk seems to be a long series of merry holidays.
Catholics these days meet the Bethlehem flame, and Belarusian volunteers solemnly carry it through the streets of Minsk to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then the sacred fire is transferred to all churches, and everyone can take with them a piece of the Bethlehem fire in the icon lamp lit there.
On the same days, a parade of Santa Clauses, Snow Maidens and other fairy-tale characters takes place. With music and songs, the procession moves to the main Christmas tree on October Square, where a theatrical performance unfolds.
And at the same time, adherents of ancient cults begin to celebrate the solstice. The goat is a pagan symbol of the sun; it plays a major role in this holiday. Decorated with all kinds of pendants and amulets, this mythical animal, constantly whipping and ringing with bells around its neck, solemnly moves at the head of the cheerful crowd.
But despite the general fun that reigns all these days on the streets, on the eve of Christmas, both Catholic and Orthodox, the city subsides. Christmas is a family holiday that everyone wants to spend at home with their relatives, and in the main it does not differ for all Christians. This is a holiday of love and kindness. And everyone, in anticipation of a miracle, to the ringing of bells in churches, greets him with an enlightened soul.
sights
During the Christmas holidays, Minsk turns into a fabulous city dressed up with thousands of lights that lavishly decorate its streets and squares. But Minsk is beautiful in itself. And once you get here, you cannot but visit the Upper Town on Kozmodemyanskaya Gorka, which delights with the interweaving of different architectural styles. Here you will see
- City Hall
- Holy Spirit Cathedral
- Bernandine monastery complex
- Church of the Virgin Mary
- Peter and Paul Cathedral
In the center of the city, the Church of Saints Simeon and Helena, the "Red Church", will not go unnoticed.
A very nice corner of Minsk - Trinity Suburb. The spirit of the 19th century still reigns in it, and the bright houses under the tiled roofs make this place attractive in any weather. There are many souvenir shops here, and no one leaves here without shopping. In them you can choose as a gift to friends:
- clay figurines
- cute gold straw crafts and decorations
- products from the finest flax,
- Slutsk belts of unique beauty
And Christmas in Minsk will be remembered as bright, colorful and unpredictable, like pictures in a kaleidoscope.
