Christmas and Easter

Christmas and Easter bring families together around different events of the Christian faith. In Kazakhstan, communities with different calendars and household customs live nearby. A good invitation explains what holiday is being celebrated, whether there will be a service, and when loved ones are expected at the table.

Christmas: December 25 or January 7 - depending on church tradition.
Easter: Movable date; The schedule is updated for the desired year.
Family format: Worship, home meals and visits may take place at different times.

History and meaning

Christmas is dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ, Easter is dedicated to his resurrection. For a believing family, worship may be the central part of the day, and the home meeting continues it. Relatives of other faiths should explain the order of the evening in advance, leaving a free choice of participation: family closeness does not require the same attitude towards religious rituals.

Catholic parishes of the Latin rite celebrate Christmas on December 25, in the Kazakhstan Orthodox Metropolitan District - on January 7. The Easter date is verified annually: calendars may vary. Protestant communities also have their own rules. The guideline is the specific parish and family agreement, and not the assumption of a person’s faith based on his last name or nationality.

Customs and table

Christmas house

The Catholic tradition includes nativity scenes, Christmas carols, and family readings of the gospel story. In some families of Polish or Lithuanian origin, a wafer with wishes is shared. This is an example of a specific heritage that cannot be automatically attributed to all Christians in Kazakhstan.

Easter greeting

In the Orthodox community it sounds like “Christ is risen!” The church service may be followed by a blessing of Easter cakes, Easter cakes and colored eggs. To a guest who does not know the custom, the hosts can calmly explain its meaning; response and participation should not be turned into a test of knowledge.

Participation without haste

If the family goes to an evening or night service, decide in advance how the elders and children will return home. Check with your parish for requirements for clothing and photography. At home, you can ask your child to help lay out napkins or sign a postcard, maintaining a role that is feasible and understandable to him.

Two holidays - different home tastes

Kulich, cottage cheese Easter and painted eggs belong to the Easter tradition, and not to the universal Christmas menu. Choose other dishes according to family customs. Specify separately whether we are talking about a meal on the eve of a holiday or after a service: this is important for people observing fasting. For a mixed circle, it is convenient to name the composition of the dishes, provide separate serving utensils, and offer tea with simple pastries. A guest's willingness to try food does not measure his respect.

Guests and hosts

Practical tips for preparation

If you are invited

Specify the date, time and format: an invitation to a home meeting does not always imply a joint trip to church.
Agree on the edible gift and its composition; flowers, a card or a small treat may be appropriate if the hosts wish.
Give the family some quiet time during prayer; Take photographs of people and home religious corners only with permission.

If you are hosting

Connect the time of serving food with the return from the service and the departure of the guests, providing for rest after the late service.
Baking and decorating can be shared among relatives; Check in advance who is bringing the finished dish so as not to repeat large portions.
Prepare comfortable seats for the elders, a quiet activity for the children, and a few clear words about the meaning of the holiday for those invited for the first time.

Sources and reading

About cultural customs - according to the materials below. Tips for organization - recommendations from the editors.

How to prepare

Set aside the baking ingredients first, then calculate the remainder for the tea table. It is convenient to buy candied fruits and raisins according to the recipe with a small supply.

Make a list of baked goods and ingredients.
Check the requirements of the Lenten or holiday menu.
Store recipe ingredients separately from the general supply.

The composition of the finished baked goods depends not only on nuts and dried fruits. Check all ingredients and requirements of your family or parish.

70 g per guest. Calculator and recipes are available on this page.

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