More than 7,000 nurses at two hospitals in New York City went on strike early Monday morning demanding better pay, better working conditions and more staffing.
The strike began at 6 a.m. after nurses at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and Mount Sinai Hospital in Harlem failed to reach an agreement with hospital administration during a bargaining session Sunday night, according to the New York State Nurses' Association.
"These nurses are dedicated professionals who provide quality patient care under unimaginable conditions day in and day out that were exacerbated by the pandemic," Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, a labor union, said in a statement Monday. "Now they are faced with the added challenge of short staffing that has reached critical levels and could compromise their ability to provide the best quality care to their patients."
"It is time for the hospitals to treat these nurses fairly, with the dignity and respect they deserve, and to negotiate in good faith, quickly, to ensure nurses can get back to serving their communities by providing superior care to their patients," the statement continued.
Strikes are occurring at three locations in the Bronx and one location in Manhattan and will occur until 7 p.m.
In a statement, Montefiore Medical Center said it offered a 19.1% compounded wage increase and promised to create more than 170 new nursing positions ahead of the strike.
"We remain committed to seamless and compassionate care, recognizing that the union leadership's decision will spark fear and uncertainty across our community," the statement read.
Mike Segar/ReutersStriking union nurses from the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) walk the picket line outside Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx borough of New York City, Jan. 9, 2023.
Mike Segar/Reuters
Mount Sinai told ABC News in a statement it also offered a 19.1% increased wage proposal but that nurses rejected the offer.
"Our first priority is the safety of our patients. We're prepared to minimize disruption, and we encourage Mount Sinai nurses to continue providing the world-class care they're known for, in spite of NYSNA's strike," Mount Sinai officials said.
Mount Sinai said it was preparing for the strike by "diverting a majority of ambulances," starting "to cancel some elective surgeries ... perform emergency surgery only," "starting to transfer patients" to other hospitals and medical centers, and "working to safely discharge as many patients as appropriate," according to an internal memo obtained by New York ABC station WABC.
Striking union nurses from the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) walk the picket line outside Montefiore Hospital, Jan. 9, 2023, in New York.
Mike Segar/Reuters
Gov. Kathy Hochul called for binding arbitration Sunday night to avert a strike, but union officials did not accept the proposal.
"Gov. Hochul should listen to frontline Covid nurse heroes and respect our federally protected labor and collective bargaining rights," NYSNA said in a statement. "Nurses don't want to strike. Bosses have pushed us to strike by refusing to seriously consider our proposals to address the desperate crisis of unsafe staffing that harms our patients."
The NYSNA also urged New Yorkers to not be fearful or concerned about seeking medical care due to the shrike.
"To all of our patients, to all New Yorkers, we want to be absolutely clear: If you are sick, please do not delay getting medical care, regardless of whether we are on strike," the organization tweeted. "In fact, we invite you to come join us on the strike line after you've gotten the care you need."
The Defense Staff of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said on Monday that the Russian forces had taken control of the village of Bakhmutskoe near the town of Soledar and northeast of Bakhmut (also known as Artyomovsk).
"As of January 9, 2023, the Russian armed forces liberated Bakhmutskoe on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic," the Defense Staff wrote in its Telegram channel.
The Ukrainian-held town of Bakhmut, which is an important transport hub for supplying Ukrainian troops in Donbass, is located on the territory considered by DPR to be its part. Several highways and railroads go through the town. Both the Russian and Ukrainian forces have been fighting fiercely to capture the area over past few months.
Russian troops destroy 200 combat helicopters in Ukraine operation, top brass reports
Russian forces have destroyed 200 Ukrainian combat helicopters since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported on Monday.
"In all, the following targets have been destroyed since the beginning of the special military operation: 367 warplanes, 200 helicopters, 2,856 unmanned aerial vehicles, 400 surface-to-air missile systems, 7,460 tanks and other combat armored vehicles, 972 multiple rocket launchers, 3,793 field artillery guns and mortars and 7,978 special military motor vehicles," the spokesman said.
Russian forces struck amassed Ukrainian manpower and military hardware in the Kupyansk area, eliminating over 50 militants in the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the Kupyansk area, Russian forces inflicted damage by firepower on the amassed Ukrainian military personnel and equipment in the areas of the communities of Sinkovka, Kislovka and Berestovoye in the Kharkov Region and Novosyolovskoye in the Lugansk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.
In the area of the settlement of Dvurechnaya in the Kharkov Region, Russian forces also destroyed an enemy subversive/reconnaissance group, the general added.
"The Ukrainian army’s irretrievable losses in that area amounted to over 50 Ukrainian servicemen, two infantry fighting vehicles and three motor vehicles," he said.
Russian forces delivered air and artillery strikes, eliminating over 60 Ukrainian troops in the Krasny Liman area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the Krasny Liman area, air strikes and artillery fire inflicted damage on the enemy units in areas near the settlements of Stelmakhovka and Nevskoye in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Serebryanka and Grigorovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Lozovaya in the Kharkov Region," the spokesman said.
As a result, Russian forces eliminated over 60 Ukrainian servicemen, three combat armored vehicles and three pickup trucks, the general specified.
Russian forces continued their advance in the Donetsk area, inflicting damage on Ukrainian army units by combined firepower along the entire engagement line, Konashenkov reported.
"In the Donetsk area, Russian forces continue offensive operations, inflicting damage on Ukrainian army units by combined firepower along the entire line of engagement," the spokesman said.
During the last 24-hour period, the enemy’s losses in that area amounted to over 80 Ukrainian troops, three infantry fighting vehicles, an armored personnel carrier and four motor vehicles, the general specified.
Russian forces destroyed over 40 Ukrainian troops in the southern Donetsk area in the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the southern Donetsk area, Russian units inflicted damage by firepower on the amassed manpower and equipment near the community of Novomikhailovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.
During the battles in the past 24 hours, Russian forces destroyed over 40 Ukrainian military personnel, two combat armored vehicles and three pickup trucks, the general specified.
Russian forces eliminated two Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance groups in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"Two Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance groups were eliminated north of the settlements of Pavlovka and Shevchenko in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.
Russian troops destroyed two US-made counter-battery radars in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"Two US-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar stations were destroyed in the counter-battery warfare in areas near the settlements of Verkhnekamenskoye and Shevchenko in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.
Russian fighter aircraft shot down a Su-25 ground attack plane, a MiG-29 fighter and a Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"Fighter aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 and MiG-29 planes in areas near the settlements of Rovnoye and Grodovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic. In addition, a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down near the community of Verolyubovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.
Russian troops destroyed three Ukrainian ammunition depots in the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Kharkov Region over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"Operational-tactical and army aviation aircraft, missile troops and artillery struck 89 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions, enemy manpower and military hardware in 126 areas. Three Ukrainian ammunition and missile/artillery armament depots were destroyed in areas near the settlements of Novomikhailovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Lozovaya in the Kharkov Region," the spokesman said.
Russian forces destroyed a US-made M777 howitzer at a firing position in the Lugansk People’s Republic over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the area of the community of Ivanovka in the Lugansk People’s Republic, an M777 artillery system of US manufacture was destroyed at a firing position," the spokesman said.
Russian forces destroyed two Polish-made Krab artillery systems, two Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers and a D-30 howitzer over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In areas near the settlements of Zvanovka and Serebryanka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, and also Novodanilovka and Stepnoye in the Zaporozhye Region, two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery systems, two Ukrainian Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers and also a D-30 howitzer were obliterated at firing positions," the spokesman said.
Russian air defense forces destroyed eight Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and 10 rockets of multiple launch rocket systems over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the past 24 hours, air defense capabilities destroyed eight Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in areas near the settlements of Chervonopopovka, Golikovo and Poltava in the Lugansk People’s Republic, and also Velikiy Vyselok in the Kharkov Region," the spokesman said.
In addition, Russian air defense forces "intercepted 10 rockets of HIMARS and Uragan multiple launch rocket systems in areas near the settlements of Zugres and Dokuchayevsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Peremozhnoye in the Zaporozhye Region," the general said.
In response to the Ukrainian attack on the city of Makeevka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Russian armed forces carried out a retaliation operation, killing more than 600 Ukrainian soldiers in the city of Kramatorsk by a massive missile strike, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
"Over the past day, Russian intelligence has discovered and reliably confirmed through several independent channels the temporary deployment points of the Ukrainian armed forces in the city of Kramatorsk. There were more than 700 Ukrainian servicemen in dormitory No. 28 and more than 600 Ukrainian servicemen in dormitory No. 47. As a result of a massive missile strike on these points of temporary deployment of units of the Ukrainian armed forces, more than 600 Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed," the ministry said.
Pada tanggal 1 Januari, pukul 00:01 waktu Moskow (21:01 Desember 31 GMT), artileri Ukraina menembakkan enam roket HIMARS ke titik penempatan sementara unit militer Rusia di area Makeevka, dengan dua roket dicegat oleh pertahanan udara, pertama kata Wakil Kepala Direktorat Utama Militer-Politik Angkatan Bersenjata Rusia, Letnan Jenderal Sergey Sevryukov. Empat roket menghantam gedung tempat prajurit Rusia ditempatkan, menewaskan 89 tentara.
Russian Special Op: World’s Most Powerful Mortar Wipes Out Ukrainian Army Targets - Video
Sputnik has obtained a unique video of a Russian 2S4 Tyulpan (Tulip) self-propelled heavy mortar carrier destroying one of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ fortified positions during Moscow’s ongoing special military operation in Ukraine.
In the 34 second clip, powerful explosions are seen in the distance, which are the work of a 2S4 Tyulpan deployed by a drone operator of the Russian army’s First Slavic Brigade.
The Tyulpan is considered to be the most powerful self-propelled mortars in the world; the 240 mm caliber explosive has a range of about 20 kilometers (about 12 miles).
At such a range, the Russian mortar is capable of obliterating fortified buildings, manpower and armed vehicles of a potential enemy.
Russia has been conducting its special military operation in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. The Russian army has been carrying out high-precision strikes, targeting Ukraine’s military infrastructure and doing its best to avoid unnecessary casualties among civilians.
According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the operation aims to protect people, “who have been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years.” Putin stressed that the ultimate goal of the operation is the liberation of eastern Ukraine’s Donbass region and the creation of conditions that guarantee the security of Russia itself.
At the disposal of RIA Novosti were footage of the work of the Russian "Grad" in the special operation zone.
The reconnaissance of the 1st Slavic brigade noticed the enemy's company stronghold in one of the forest belts, and after the transfer of data, it was decided to use the Grad to destroy the maximum territory of the defensive position. The footage shows that most of the missiles fall exactly on target.
Unique footage of a tank duel in the Donbass came into the possession of RIA Novosti. Three tanks of the ZVO of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation against two Ukrainian ones. In the footage, two tanks were used as "bait", while the third approached imperceptibly from the flank at a distance of less than 500 meters and opened fire on the enemy. As a result, the Ukrainian army has minus one vehicle.
Ukrainian Special Services Prepare Major Anti-Russia False Flag in Kharkov Region, MoD Says
The provocation will reportedly use dug-up and disfigured dead bodies from local cemeteries to accuse Russia of war crimes.
Kiev is organizing a large-scale false flag op using the bodies of naturally-deceased civilians to accuse Moscow of committing war crimes, the Russian Defense Ministry stated on Sunday.
"The special services of Ukraine have prepared a new large-scale anti-Russian provocation aimed at discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and accusing Russian servicemen of allegedly committing war crimes," the statement said.
RIA Novosti has received unique footage of the defeat of one of the military units of the Ukrainian military by the world's most powerful self-propelled mortar 2S4 "Tulip" in the special operation zone.
The drone operator of the 1st Slavic Brigade corrects the fire with 240-millimeter projectiles, which are designed to destroy fortifications, large concentrations of equipment and enemy manpower. The footage shows precise hits on the target and volumetric explosions destroying the solid concrete fortifications of the Ukrainian military facility.
On the eve of Orthodox Christmas, representatives of the State Bureau of Investigation and the Security Service of Ukraine led work to open graves in cemeteries in the villages of Kazachya Lopan, Veliky Burluk, Shipovatoye and Khatnoye in the Kharkov region, where local residents who died of natural causes were buried from February 24 to September 6, 2022, while the abovementioned settlements were controlled by the Russian forces.
The Defense Ministry clarified that "after the exhumation, the bodies of Ukrainian citizens were additionally disfigured and thrown into specially prepared "pits" on the outskirts of the abovementioned settlements to create a false "evidence base" of alleged "torture" and "executions" of civilians by Russian military personnel.
The ministry added that the representatives of the Ukrainian special services and law enforcement agencies are taking photos and recording videos of the exhumated bodies, and, in the presence of fake "witnesses", simulate the work of "forensic experts" and other "procedural actions."
"Unable to achieve any success on the battlefield, the Kiev regime uses these inhuman methods in attempt to retain attention of the western audience and convince its foreign partners to continue supporting it," the Defense Ministry said.
Russian MoD’s latest statements on the Ukraine crisis:
▪️ The combined group of troops has been observing a ceasefire along the entire line of contact in the area of the special military operation since 12 noon Moscow time on January 6. At the same time, the Kiev regime has continued to shell residential areas and Russian positions with artillery over the past 24 hours.
▪️ The Armed Forces of Ukraine fired 11 mortar shells at Russian positions in the Krasny Liman direction.
▪️ The Armed Forces of Ukraine opened artillery fire in the Zaporozhye region 31 times. In the Kherson and Krivoy Rog directions, the enemy launched 17 artillery attacks. Russian forces returned fire against all the AFU's positions from which the shelling took place, and suppressed them.
▪️ Two assault groups of the 80th and 95th airborne assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were repulsed in the Krasny Liman direction.
▪️ One attempt by Armed Forces of Ukraine units from the 110th Mechanized and 79th Airborne Assault Brigades to attack Russian positions in the DPR was thwarted.
▪️ Anti-aircraft defenses destroyed four UAVs in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.
▪️ Five Uragan and HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems and one US-made HARM anti-radar missile were intercepted in the DPR.
▪️ Some 360 airplanes and 199 helicopters, 2,843 unmanned aerial vehicles, 400 air defense missile systems, 7,441 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 972 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 3,787 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 7,957 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended Christmas greetings to Russians and Orthodox believers, noting the role of church organizations in supporting the participants of the special military operation.
"I’m extending my hearty Christmas greetings to you! This bright holiday that’s loved by everyone inspires people for kind deeds and intentions, serves to establish in the society such enduring spiritual values and moral guidelines as mercy, compassion, goodness and justice," he said.
The president noted the constructive contribution that’s made by the Russian Orthodox Church and other Orthodox denominations in Russia in the unity of the society, preservation of our historical memory, the rearing of the youth and the strengthening of the institution of the family.
"Church organizations pay priority attention to interethnic and inter-religious peace and accord in our country, take care of those who need help, support our fighters that participate in the special military operation. That large, multifaceted, truly self-sacrificing work is worthy of the sincerest respect," he said.
As he ended his greetings, Putin wished to Orthodox Christians and everybody who marks Christmas health, success and all the best.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch sends Christmas greetings to Russians
Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill has extended Christmas greetings to Russians and wished them to care about their close ones, show mercy and help the needy.
"Let’s remember that there are no obstacles for God. He knocks at the heart of every person and expects our readiness to show goodness, mercy and compassion. Let’s care about each other, give attention to relatives, our close ones, friends and colleagues at work and help the needy and the unfortunate, visit the sick and the frail," he said in televised greetings overnight.
The church leader noted that the holiday is marred by military operations and the Russian Orthodox Church prays and mourns for the people that were killed or wounded during the special military operation in Ukraine.
Putin Christmas Ceasefire, Further House Speaker Votes, Cuba Visas
The US president announces new immigration proposals, and a new study sheds light on the origins of human writing and calendar use.
Political cartoonist, columnist, and author Ted Rall joins Misfits hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss the ongoing House leadership election as it enters its third day of votes, Joe Biden’s trip to Kentucky with Mitch McConnell, the January 6th sentencings on the eve of the anniversary of the Capitol riot, and mass layoffs at Amazon.
Journalist and author Arnold August discusses how Washington has abandoned the Havana Syndrome theory; the exodus from Cuba and the increase in Cuban migration to the US, the economic and social crises in Cuba, and how much blame for them can be laid at the feet of Washington’s decades-long blockade.
Managing Editor of CovertAction Magazine and author of four books Jeremy Kuzmarov discusses whether new weapons deliveries from NATO countries to Ukraine could change the course of the war, the 36-hour Orthodox Christmas ceasefire announced by Putin, possible inroads between Syria and Turkey, and a private company spy firm Anomaly 6 used in the Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts.
Whistleblower at banking giant UBS Brad Birkenfeld discusses the Justice Department’s refusal to offer transparency in their dealings with Hunter Biden case amid House GOP’s intent to begin Congressional investigations.
Director of the Center for Social Housing and Public Investment Will Merrifield discuss how downtown Washington, DC, has remained vacant since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, what Mayor Muriel Bowser is proposing to fill these vacancies amid a housing crisis, the mass transfer of public land to private developers in the District, and whether the conversion of commercial buildings for residential use is feasible.
The Misfits also discuss the human trafficking lawsuit against the leader of the Church of Scientology, a new covid variant, and a possible deal to return the Parthenon marbles to Greece.
A shooting in a classroom at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Va., happened on Friday after an altercation between a student and a teacher, officials said.Credit...Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot, via Associated Press
A 6-year-old student shot a teacher during an altercation at a Virginia elementary school on Friday, police said. No students were injured in the incident at Richneck Elementary School, Newport News police said in a statement.
"This was not an accidental shooting," Police Chief Steve Drew told reporters during an evening press conference.
The chief said the teacher, a woman in her 30s, suffered what he described as a life-threatening gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital.
The boy was taken into custody, the chief said. No one else was involved in the incident, he said.
"We have been in contact with our commonwealth attorney and some other entities to help us best get services to this young man," Drew said.
The chief said a handgun was used in the altercation and he wanted to know where it came from.
The shooting was isolated to a classroom at the school, Drew said.
"This was not a situation where we had a student, or any other individuals, going up and down the halls actively firing in a long shooting incident," Drew said.
Mayor Phillip Jones said the incident "hurts my heart."
"It's a dark day for Newport News," Jones said. "We're going to learn from this, and we're going to come back stronger."
Schools Superintendent George Parker III said the incident happened in a first-grade classroom.
"Today our students got a lesson in gun violence," Parker said.
"This is terrible," he added. "This is something that should never occur, and I think we're all in shock and we all understand that we have a lot of work to do as a community to make sure things like this don't occur."
Metal detectors are used randomly throughout the school district, Parker said. Classes won't be held at the school Monday.
The unidentified suspect is in custody, Newport News Public Schools said in a statement, adding, "All of the students are safe."
A representative for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told ABC News the agency is assisting in the investigation by tracing the firearm that was recovered on the scene.
The shooting was reported around 2 p.m. inside the school, Drew told reporters.
"We did not have a situation where someone was going around the school shooting," Drew said. "We have a situation in one particular location where a gunshot was fired."
Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones was on the scene Friday afternoon and said he would be staying overnight at the hospital.
"It's been a long day for a lot of people, but at the end of the day the children's safety is our top priority," he told reporters.
One parent said her "heart stopped" when she heard the news of a shooting at her 9-year-old son's school.
"I was freaking out, very nervous, just wondering, was that one person my son," she said. "But he's OK."
Newport News Public Schools Superintendent Dr. George Parker told reporters that the school would be closed on Monday. He reiterated that more needs to be done to stop gun violence in schools.
"I'm sounding like a broken record today because I keep reiterating that we need to keep guns out of the hands of our young people," he said.
On January 7, 2023, Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate one of the most important holidays: the Nativity of Jesus.
Celebration date
On January 7, Christmas is celebrated by the Russian, Georgian, Jerusalemite, Polish and Serbian Orthodox churches, the Athos monasteries in Greece, as well as the Eastern Catholic Church and the Old Believers. The Roman Catholic, Protestant and ten Orthodox churches (including the Church of Antioch, the Church of Alexandria, the Church of Cyprus, the Bulgarian Church, and others) mark the date earlier, on December 25. The reason is different denominations adhere to different calendars: Julian or Gregorian.
The holiday’s history
In the 2nd-4th centuries, the Nativity of Christ was celebrated on the same day as the Baptism of the Lord under one name Epiphany — January 6, according to the Julian calendar (old style). In the first half of the 4th century, Christmas and Epiphany in the Western church were separated. The Nativity of Christ began to be celebrated on December 25. The date was set intentionally to supplant the Roman Empire’s pagan holidays: Sol Invictus (Unconquered Sun) and Saturnalia (a holiday in honor of the god Saturn). In this way the Church sought to create a counterbalance to the pagan cult.
In the second half of the 4th century, the Eastern church also moved Christmas to December 25. For the first time, separate celebrations on the occasion of the Nativity of Christ and the Baptism of the Lord were introduced in Constantinople around 377 A.D. on orders from Emperor Arcadius.
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new chronology system called the Gregorian calendar (new style), thus correcting the increasing desynchronization between the Julian calendar and the astronomical year. All permanent holidays, including Christmas on December 25, were added to the new calendar. A number of churches, including the Russian Orthodox Church, continued to use the Julian calendar, while Christmas was marked on December 25.
Christmas in Russia
Until 1917, Christmas had been one of the official holidays in the Russian Empire. December 25 and 26 were non-working days. December 25 was also the day of Russia’s victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 against the Napoleonic invasion.
All the attributes of the Christmas holiday were associated with the Christian religion. The Christmas tree was decorated with figurines of angels, shepherds, bells, and so on. The stars, candles and lanterns served as reminders of the Star of Bethlehem and the lights that had shone for the pilgrims who came to pay homage to the newborn Christ. Gifts for all family members (the Gifts of the Magi) were placed under the Christmas tree, and 12 dishes were put on the festive table (according to the number of the holy apostles).
The Christmas tree tradition was interrupted by World War I. In 1915, German POWs, kept at a hospital in Saratov, arranged a Christmas party, consequently triggering an outburst of fury from Russian dailies. As a result, Emperor Nicholas II prohibited the custom of decorating trees for Christmas.
After the October Revolution of 1917, the ban was lifted, and in December of the same year, a public Christmas tree was installed at the Mikhailovsky Artillery School in Petrograd.
On January 24, 1918, the Council of People’s Commissars (Russia’s government at that time) adopted a decree on the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in Russia. Then Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars Vladimir Lenin signed it into law on January 26, 1918. The Russian Orthodox Church did not recognize these reforms and continued to follow the Julian calendar. Orthodox Christmas began to be celebrated on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 according to the Julian calendar.
In 1918, the All-Russia Central Executive Committee removed the Nativity of Christ from the list of public holidays and canceled the day off. In the mid-1920s, the country saw a massive anti-religious campaign. In 1929, the Council of People’s Commissars prohibited Christmas celebrations. Official New Year parties were also outlawed, only to be revived in the 1930s. The Christmas tree and related festive events became invariable attributes of Soviet-style New Year customs and traditions. The star of Bethlehem was replaced by a five-pointed red star and Christmas figures gave way to Kremlin towers, airships, space satellites, sheaves of wheat, ears of corn and other decorations.
Christmas had not been celebrated in Russia until the 1990s. On December 27, 1990, the Supreme Council of the RSFSR “in connection with a request by Patriarch Alexy II, of Moscow and All Russia, and in a gesture of respect for the religious feelings of believers” ruled to consider January 7 a public holiday and a day off. The official holiday status was enshrined in a special legal act dated September 25, 1992.
In 1992, Russian President Boris Yeltsin for the first time attended a festive night service, which Patriarch Alexy II held at the Nativity of Christ church in the Izmailovo neighborhood. In 1995, the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and its consecration was timed to coincide with the holiday. The Cathedral eventually became the center of Christmas celebrations.
Christmas tradition in Russia
The holiday is preceded by a strict 40-day fast, which lasts from November 28 to January 6.
On Christmas Eve, the festive liturgy is served in all churches. At the end of the service, a lighted candle, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem, is brought out and placed in the middle of the church.
Christmas kicks off a 12-day season commonly referred to as Christmastide or Yuletide. According to the Orthodox canons, believers should offer prayers glorifying Jesus Christ. In the folk tradition, Christmastide has always been a time of festivities, outdoor games and performances by mummers, fortune-telling, as well as caroling.
The Christmas period ends with the feast of the Epiphany on January 19.
