Knitted accessories were worn by children, women and men in Rus'. For the first time, mittens called “mittens” were mentioned in the Smolensk charter of 1229. This type of clothing not only warmed in the cold, but also emphasized the social status of the owner. Today, such a cult item as mittens has come back into fashion.

The installation of a spruce tree on Christmas Eve came to Russia from northern Germany. Peter I became acquainted with the traditions of planting Christmas trees in Saxony in 1697-1698. in Europe while traveling. Since 1976, the main spruce tree in the country has become the tree installed annually in the Kremlin Palace of Congresses. Every Soviet schoolchild dreamed of coming to Moscow for the New Year holiday.

The history of Russia is replete with events worthy of being the subject of national pride for the power and greatness of the state, the courage and heroism of soldiers. In a series of such events, the Day of Military Glory of Russia is the Day of the capture of the Turkish fortress of Izmail by Russian troops (December 24). The memorable date was established by federal law (No. 32-FZ 03/13/1995) “On the days of military glory and memorable dates of Russia” in 1995. Modern Izmail is a city in the Odessa region, located on the banks of the Danube. It is separated from the Black Sea by 8 tens of kilometers. It is known that from the 12th century there was a Genoese fortress in this place; from the 16th century it passed to the Turks. Turkey constantly threatened the southern outskirts of Russia, hindering the ability to maintain a fleet in the Azov and Black Seas. Russia sought to eliminate the danger, strengthen its southern borders, and establish itself on the Black Sea coast. The strategically well-located Izmail fortress guaranteed its owners safe access to sea routes. The routes from Bender, Kili, Khotin, and Galati converged in this area. Here was a convenient springboard for protecting one's borders and invading enemy territory. In the 18th century, the fortress alternately belonged to Turkey and Russia. By the beginning of the war of 1787 - 1791. it was in the hands of the Turks and was considered completely impregnable. The French engineers who led the work to strengthen the fortifications used fortification technologies that were innovative at that time. On three sides the fortress walls were surrounded by an eight-meter-high rampart, its length was 6 kilometers. A deep ditch twelve meters wide was dug in front of the rampart. In some places, the ten-meter depth of the ditch was filled with water, its level reaching 2 meters. From the south, Izmail was reliably covered by the river; the waters of the Danube spilled over half a kilometer wide here. 260 guns were located on 11 bastions. 35 thousand people guarded the fortress; it could withstand a swift assault and a long siege. The Turks were sure that there was no force capable of conquering Izmail. Russian soldiers freed the proud Turks from this confidence and dispelled the myth of an impregnable stronghold. In the fall of 1790, after unsuccessful attempts to take Izmail, the assault on the fortress was entrusted to Suvorov. The only commander in the history of wars who did not know a single defeat, Suvorov believed that nothing was impossible for a Russian soldier. In a soldier, he brought up a conscientious warrior, a love for Russia, and encouraged people's ingenuity, initiative, and courage. To prepare soldiers for battle, Suvorov conducted exercises, creating conditions close to the conditions of a campaign. Suvorov devoted six days of December 1790 to preparing for the assault. True to his principles, he paid special attention to the training of troops. Using mock-ups, soldiers learned to storm impregnable barriers and high walls. The assault began on the morning of December 11 (22) after preliminary preparations carried out by Russian artillery. By the end of the day, the indestructible Turkish citadel had fallen. The conquest of Izmail in 1790 influenced the conclusion of peace in Iasi in 1791, the Black Sea coast from the Southern Bug to the Dniester went to Russia. This strengthened its position by opening new sea routes. Under Izmail, Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov proved the perfection of Russian military art, his “miracle heroes” once again showed the world that nothing is impossible for a Russian soldier.

Christmas holidays around the world are among the most significant and revered. In addition, Christians around the world, and Catholics in particular, are preparing for the beginning of the new year with genuine admiration and interest. Christmas Eve is a kind of eve of Christmas and is celebrated on the eve of its onset. In churches of the Gregorian Rite, the holiday falls on December 24, Orthodox churches and Greek Catholics gather for a festive dinner on January 6. Christmas Eve got its name not by chance, but thanks to the main dish that is served at the table that evening - sochiv. Like kutya, it is succulently prepared from pre-prepared and well-steamed cereals, cereals, usually seasoned with honey or dried fruits. Speaking of the holiday meal, the table on Christmas Eve is not limited to the main course. Although it is recommended to eat only once on this day - after the evening service. Although holiday dishes are served only in Lenten form, the consumption of wine and vegetable oil is not prohibited. The Orthodox Church insists on refusing food on Christmas Eve until the end of Lent, but the Catholic Church does not adhere to such strict canons and does not consider them mandatory. At a festive Catholic meal, wafers are usually broken - Lenten Christmas bread. They symbolize the flesh of Christ and are thin layers of unleavened, dry, crispy dough. The one who breaks off a piece of the unleavened wafer must make a good wish, that is, thank you. Beautiful and touching traditions literally permeate the entire evening before Christmas, and the head of the family is left to lead them. This is the time when close and dear people gather and turn their thoughts to the light and God. December 24th is a special day for Western Christians, filled with a Christmas atmosphere and goodwill, a positive and creative mood.

Constitution Day of the Republic of Bashkortostan

Day of the Federal Agency for Government Communications and Information of the Russian Federation (FAPSI Day)

Spenders and shopping fans, for whom marketers and designers design the facades of shops, restaurants and exhibitions, have come up with an unusual holiday. A funny celebration is celebrated by those who literally eat with the eyes of mannequins in beautiful clothes, mountains of cosmetics, compositions of tea and coffee, and other goods behind the glass of shops.

December 24 (December 11, old style) is Nikon's Day according to the folk calendar. The origin of his day comes from the Orthodox holiday of the veneration of St. Nikon of the Pechersk, who served as abbot of the Kiev Pechersk Monastery in the 11th century. When Nikon became a disciple of St. Anthony, he was engaged in tonsure of newly arrived monks at the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. For tonsuring the subjects of Prince Izyaslav, Ephraim and Varlaam, the monk received a reprimand from the prince, but refused to persuade the newly made monks to return to their former life. This incident forced Nikon to leave the monastery and settle on the island of Tmutarakan, where the monk subsequently created a monastery named after the Most Holy Theotokos. A few years later, Nikon returned to the position of chief assistant to Abbot Theodosius. He kept chronicles and created book bindings from them, and replaced the abbot in his absence. After the overthrow of Izyaslav from Kyiv by Prince Svyatoslav, Nikon went to his monastery. After a while, he was taken back by the Monk Stefan, after whose death Nikon took the position of abbot of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. On the day of Nikon, the population glorified the sun. There was a tradition of lighting huge fires to ward off evil spirits wandering in the darkness. People believed that until the sun rose into the sky, evil spirits flew through the streets and made snow storms. In every house, lamps were lit in front of the icons, and people prayed that the sun would come quickly and disperse the evil spirits. An ax was placed at the threshold with its sharp edge up so that evil spirits would not dare to sneak into the house. But sometimes people took advantage of the windy weather on Nikon's day for conspiracies. The young men were engaged in casting a love spell on girls, going out into the black smoke of only a melted stove, reading the spell and pronouncing the name of their beloved. In addition, on Nikonov's day they made a wish, broke off a branch from an apple tree and put it in water, if it bloomed for Christmas, the wish would come true. The coming weather was determined by the sun's rays: if they were directed towards the ground, a blizzard was expected, rays to the sides foreshadowed severe frosts. Cold weather was also determined if several squirrels were seen in one hollow. Crows circling in the sky for a long time were observed before the snowstorm.

Archives are an integral institution of every state, which plays the role of the treasury of the historical and cultural memory of the people, is a guarantee of its worldview and development. Workers of archival institutions make a significant contribution to the development of science and culture, and other spheres of social life. It is they who extend the age of documents, storing them for future generations, which contributes to the comprehension of history and understanding of human existence. Recognizing the importance of the work performed by archivists, President Kuchma issued a Decree at the end of 1998, which designated the date December 24 as the Day of Celebration of Archivists of Ukraine. The first organization for archives in Ukraine was the Library and Archives Department, headed by Professor Grushevsky. It was established even before the formation of the USSR. Under the Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR, this is already the Main Archives Directorate, which worked from 1974 to 1991. Since December 1999, the organizational and legal status of the State Archives of Ukraine and its name have changed: the State Committee of Archives of Ukraine. The total number of archive workers is over three thousand people. Archival organizations contain over 58 million units of storage of various types of documents. In the imagination of ordinary citizens, an archive is associated with a huge accumulation of documents that lie motionless on shelves for years and hide their information. In fact, an archive is a living information system that works daily clearly and harmoniously on the formation, accounting and preservation of funds, as well as the use of information that documents contain. Every day archival institutions receive requests from citizens. The vast majority is confirmation of property rights to land, real estate, length of service and salary amounts. Almost 90 percent of requests have a positive response. Of course, in the daily and painstaking work of archives there are difficulties and problems, however, despite them, employees try to fulfill their duties with dignity, providing services to citizens. Archival materials are the documentary treasury of every nation, this is a treasure that humanity has been accumulating for centuries, this is the history of each citizen and the era as a whole. Workers of archival institutions perform an important mission - they preserve historical memory, collect and document facts of the present, which are necessary, first of all, for descendants. Thanks to daily hard work, present and future generations will be able to touch the pages of history, whatever it may be.

In its meaning, Advent can be compared to the Orthodox Nativity Fast. This is the time to stop, think about your life, this is the time for repentance and cleansing. Catholic clergy dress in liturgical vestments of purple color, the symbolism of which is repentance. It should be noted that in Catholicism, compulsory fasting was abolished in 1917. But some believers impose restrictions on themselves; as a rule, strict fasting is observed three days before the holiday. The Catholic Church especially emphasizes that there is no point in fasting if a person’s soul is far from God. Therefore, during Advent, everyone is advised to remember the way to the temple, repent and take communion. But at the same time, Advent is a joyful anticipation of the holiday. This is the time of preparation for the celebration: the festive bustle, discounts and sales in stores, visits to fairs and bazaars. Back in 380, the Council of Zaragoza adopted new rules of worship for the four weeks before Christmas. This is considered the first mention of Advent. The first week of Advent is called iron, the second - copper, the third - silver, and the last fourth week - golden. Our story will be about her. The last fourth week before Epiphany is called the Golden Week of Advent. This week can last 1-6 days, it all depends on what day of the week Christmas falls on. These days are dedicated to the events that occurred before the birth of Jesus Christ and the special role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Incarnation. The motto of the last Sunday: “The Lord will come and will not delay.” And the last week of Advent ends with Christmas Eve. The last fourth candle, called the Angelic candle, is lit on Christmas Eve on the holiday common to most Western Christians - Christmas Eve (for the Orthodox - January 6). The burning of the last candle means that Christmas is quickly approaching. The most common Advent symbols are a wreath, a calendar and a ladder. The differences between this holiday in different countries have their own characteristics. Somewhere a necessary attribute is a Christmas star hung on windows or arch lamps. A very popular custom in Western Europe is to buy or make pre-Advent calendars yourself to brighten up children's anticipation of the Christmas holidays. Calendars are very diverse in shape: they can be a flat box with many drawers, they can be in the form of small bags or a Christmas tree with dated gifts. The idea is for children to receive a tasty gift every day of Advent. In addition, children are taught to do good deeds during this period. They are rewarded for this with a paper heart and a pinch of straw. When Christmas comes, children put hay in the manger on the Advent stairs, or in a makeshift nativity scene, and hang hearts on the tree. The most famous symbol is a pine wreath with four white or red candles. Advent colors: red, white and green. The red color symbolizes the blood of Christ, shed to atone for the sins of mankind, white is a symbol of spirituality and purity, and green belongs to life and gives hope. The old custom is to build a staircase, and the number of steps should be equal to the number of days of Advent. At the very top is a Christmas star, and at the very bottom is a manger, similar to the one in which Christ was born. Every day the small figurine of Jesus is moved down one step, which symbolizes the approaching feast of the Epiphany. And finally, the fourth verse from the Advent song, dedicated to the last week:

Memorial Day of St. Nikon Sukhoi

Memorial Day of St. Daniel the Stylite

Memorial Day of St. Theophan

Memorial Day of St. Luke the Stylite