Russian Christmas
In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar in Europe. That year October 5th became October 15th and was immediately adopted in most European Catholic countries. In Germany the new calendar was introduced in the early 18th century. America and Great Britain used old Julian calendar until 1752.
In Russia the Gregorian calendar was adopted only in 1918 by the decree of the Soviet Government. January 31 that year was followed by February 14. The Russian church didn't accept the changes and continue to celebrate Christmas on 25 December in the Julian calendar, which is 7 January in the Gregorian calendar. Other Orthodox churches that follow old Julian calendar include the Orthodox churches of Jerusalem, the Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Serbia, Poland and the Greek Old Calendarists.
Even today the Russian church is reluctant to introduce the Gregorian calendar (or the Revised Julian calendar as in Greece and many other Orthodox countries). One common answer is that Apostolic rules do not not allow to celebrate Easter before or during the Jewish Easter (or Pesah). In Europe it happened several times.
Moscow Curious Facts
Moscow population
Today Moscow is the biggest city in Europe. The population of Moscow is 10,5 million people.
Moscow parks
Moscow is a very green city. More than 40 percent of its territory consists of parks, gardens and forests.
Moscow metro
Moscow metro is the most frequently used public transport in Moscow both for Muscovites and tourists.
Moscow subway
The deepest station of the Moscow metro is "Park Pobedy", 84 meters, the height of a 28 storey building
Metro announcements
While navigating Moscow metro you can always determine the direction of the train by the gender of the announcer.
Summer 2010 beat all temperature records
Summer 2010 will be remembered by Muscovites and Moscow guests with abnormal high temperatures.
Moscow fountain with drinking water
There are more than 700 fountains in Moscow, but there is only one with drinking water.
Moscow winters
The coldest temperature ever recorded in Moscow was −42В°C. It happened in January 1940.
What unusual monuments can Moscow boast of?
Have you heard of such monuments as "Give way to the ducklings",a crow and a fox with melted cheese "Friendship" or Children are the victims of adults' vices?
Unusual Moscow trains
Moscow metro is famous not only for its exquisite design and interior but also for its unique trains.
Moscow McDonalds
Would you agree to stay in line for 6 hours to get to McDonalds? This is what many Muscovites did in 1990.
Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius
What monument in Moscow has 5 spelling mistakes in the inscription?
Organ evenings in Kuskovo
"Organ evenings in Kuskovo" is a series of concerts that is held on weekends in one of the most beautiful old estates in Moscow
Naughty bell
A very old political prisoner aged 300 lives in Moscow Kremlin. Who could it be?
7 curious facts and legends about 7 sisters.
What facts and legends have you heard about Stalin Sisters?
What does a number of cupolas on a church signify?
Have you ever questioned yourself, why some churches have 3 domes while other – five or even more?
Be careful, the house is moving!
Have you ever seen a house moving? Can you imagine a multi-storey building with tenants being moved tens of meters away?
