Naknek Russian Christmas 1958 (48 years ago!)

This photo was taken in the Monsen home in Naknek.

January 7 is Christmas Day in the Russian Orthodox Church, which goes by the Julian Calendar. Slaviq, or Orthodox Christmas, is a seven day holiday beginning January 7th. (New Year's Eve is on the 13th.)

Part of the celebration of Slaviq includes the spinning of the star, which is shown in the photo above. People follow the star and go from house to house, singing hymns and Christmas songs. They are served refreshments at many of the houses.

To see more photos of Slaviq activities, look back at this week in past Januarys, in the archives of this website.

©Photo from the Monsen Family Collection

Photo used on this page is COPYRIGHTED.