CHRISTMAS IN ROMANIA

Five Senses - Comenius Project

Dichiseni School

• The Christmas celebration lasts 3 days (December 25th-27th=St. Stephen’s Day), however, in a broader sense it lasts a total of 19 days (December 20th-January 7th).

• In Romanian, Merry Christmas is 'Crặciun Fericit'.

• The word “Crăciun = Christmas” has 8 acceptations in Romanian language

But the word is more easy to explain than traditions

In every region from Romania there are specific ways to greet and celebrate Christmas

• In Romania before Christmas many people fast, that mean they don’t eat meat, egg, milk (animal products) during 6 week (November 15th – December 24th), only vegetables, fruits, oil.

• On December 20th , people start to prepare the food for Christmas, mainly pork, chicken and flourish the Christmas Tree.

• On Christmas Eve children go out carol singing from house to house performing to the adults in the houses. They normally dance as well. The children get sweets, nuts, pretzels, fruit, traditional cakes called 'cozonaci' and sometimes money for singing well.

• Adults go carol singing on Christmas Day evening and night.

• On Christmas day people go to the church, have Christmas meal with their family.

• A traditional Romanian Carol is the 'Star Carol'. The star, made of colored paper and often decorated with tinsel, silver foil and sometimes bells, is put on a pole. In the middle of the star is a picture of baby Jesus or a nativity scene.

• Carol singers (children) take the star with them when they go carol singing. The words of the Star Carol are:“The Star is rising high,Like a hidden mystery,The Star shines brightly,And to the world announces,That today the pure,The immaculate Virgin Mary,Gives birth to Messiah,In that famous city,Known by the name of Bethlehem.”

• Other popular carols to sing include 'Oh, What Wondrous Tidings' ('O, ce veste minunata') and 'Three Wise Men coming from the East' ('Trei Crai de la rasarit').

• The legendary visit of the three Magi – traditionally the Epiphania- has an echo in our days in the tradition of gifts giving. Romanians share gifts usually on Christmas Eve. Santa Claus – a more modern tradition – exists in Romania, although during the communist period Santa was replaced with the Frost Man (Mos Gerila)

• We think that for Romanians, Christmas mean returning to their roots, a great opportunity for family members to get together in order to spend some time in the warm, loving and cozy atmosphere of their home.

• It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength.

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