So much to learn, so little brain to absorb it

In the last post, I shared my understanding of the holidays in Ukraine. A friend in Ukraine sent me the correct story about Grandfather Frost. See the below.


I read your blog and find it interesting. In your post you mentioned the new year celebration in the countries of the former SU. Would you mind if I share some about the traditions? The Father Frost was not invented in soviet times. He was a real person who lived in Russia, many centuries ago, after the people accepted Christianity. This man lost his family - they were killed by Mongolians while he was in the field working. The house was burnt, so he started living in the woods. He helped animals (fed them in cold winters and treated their wounds,) in summer he made lots of preserves - dried fruit and berries, mushrooms and herbs; then in winter he would go to villages and give the food to poor families and orphans. He did it in secret. Since it was mostly winter and especially the Christmas time when he came out of the woods, people called him Frost, as he got older, he was called Grandfather Frost. After his death many wanted to carry his mission further - people helped each other and supported those in need. That's how this wonderful tradition was developed. Not everyone know the story behind the Ded Moroz figure, though. The Orthodox church celebrates the day of St Nikolaus as well (Dec 19) but after the revolution surely the government would rather promote the idea of a simple village man who was famous for his good deeds than the idea of a religious person who was also famous for his good deeds. Well, I just wanted to share.

In Christ,
Anya