С Рождеством Христовым
S Rozhdestvom KhristovymOrthodox, traditional
The Orthodox greeting for Christmas in Russian is С Рождеством Христовым (S Rozhdestvom Khristovym), meaning "with the Nativity of Christ". It is also called С Рождеством (S Rozhdestvom).
Meaning: Christmas greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| С Рождеством Христовым | S Rozhdestvom Khristovym | Orthodox, traditional |
| С Рождеством | S Rozhdestvom | everyday |
People shorten it to С Рождеством (S Rozhdestvom) in daily speech and in cards. You can add ! and the name of the person, as in Мама, с Рождеством!
Which one should you use?
The long form names Christ and is the church style. The short form is what neighbors and colleagues say to one another.
When do people say it?
The Russian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar for feast days, so Christmas falls on 7 January. In Russia this day is a public holiday.
Did you know?
- Orthodox Christmas became a public holiday in Russia again in 1991 after decades when religious holidays were not officially marked.
Examples in context
- С Рождеством Христовым!S Rozhdestvom Khristovym!Merry Christmas!
- С Рождеством! Здоровья и счастья вам.S Rozhdestvom! Zdorovya i schastya vam.Merry Christmas! Health and happiness to you.
- Поздравляю с Рождеством.Pozdravlyayu s Rozhdestvom.Congratulations on Christmas.
Example conversation
On 7 January Galina greets her neighbor Pyotr on the stairs of their building in Yaroslavl.
- GalinaС Рождеством Христовым, Пётр Иванович!S Rozhdestvom Khristovym, Pyotr Ivanovich!Merry Christmas, Pyotr Ivanovich!
- PyotrИ вас с праздником, Галина Сергеевна.I vas s prazdnikom, Galina Sergeyevna.And to you, Galina Sergeyevna.
- GalinaЗдоровья вам и вашей семье.Zdorovya vam i vashey semye.Health to you and your family.
