What I Learned about the Russian Santa Claus

Red Square is incredible no matter what time of year you visit.  It’s the best place to give you the I’m really in Moscow feeling, but the other day, I learned a lot about the Russian Santa.  I wouldn’t have learned these things had I not moved to Moscow back in June.  I figured that a long outing would be a good test to see if I had recovered enough from my concussion to go back to work part-time.

Not only did I survive, but I got a great dose of Christmas spirit when I stumbled upon the Russian Santa Claus.  Here’s a quick list of the things I learned about him.

The Russian Santa is Ded Moroz – Grandpa Frost.

1) Name

In Russia, Santa Claus is Ded Moroz – Grandpa Frost.  Ded is short for Dedushka. 

2) Clothes

He walks with a massive magic staff and wears a floor-length coat, which can also be light blue.

3) Gifts

In Russia, Santa delivers children’s gifts on New Year’s Eve; however, Christmas Day is January 7th in Russia because the Orthodox Church goes by the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar.

4) Where He Lives

The Russian Santa does NOT live in the North Pole.  Ded Moroz lives in a small town about 500 miles northeast of Moscow called Veliky Ustyug.

More specifically, he lives in a log cabin in the forest, and he reads letters from children telling him what they would like for Christmas.

5) Family

Ded Moroz has a granddaughter named Snegurochka – Snow Maiden.  She is usually seen with him as she is his helper, and you can get Snegurochka trinkets, like a Snegurochka matrioshka (traditional Russian doll) or this tree ornament. ↓

A Snegurochka tree ornament.

6) What the Russian Santa Doesn’t Have

• Reindeer – he rides a traditional Russian sleigh called a troika drawn by three horses.

• Mrs. Claus – he only has his granddaughter, Snegurochka.

• Elves – Snegurochka is his helper.

• A short beard – his beard is always loooong.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a long beard, a beard down to his waist.

Here’s a video I shot of Ded Moroz and Snegurochka singing a traditional New Year’s song about a fir tree from the Soviet era. ↓

So, what do you think about the Russian Santa Claus?

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