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Russian Christmas Decorations Family Articles | October 4 Cheap Roman Josi Hat , 2011
The legends of centuries are captured in traditional Russian Christmas decorations, reflecting a long history of splendor and struggle.


Russian Christmas decorations are beautiful, meaningful symbols of enduring hope and faith.



Christmas Day is celebrated on January 7 by the Russian Orthodox Church and is traditionally an occasion of both family festivities and solemn religious ritual. However after the revolution in 1917 the observance all religious celebrations, including Christmas, was banned throughout Russia.


Though the ban remained in place for 75 years Cheap Viktor Arvidsson Hat , the spirit of the holiday season survived and the new year became the emphasis. The ban was lifted in 1992 and Christmas is once again openly observed and celebrated.


Among the most treasured and traditional of Russian Christmas decorations are ornaments and figurines based on three ancient and legendary characters, Saint Nicholas, Grandfather Frost, and Snegurochka.


Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas, the Greek holy man whose kind and giving spirit eventually became the model for Santa Claus Cheap Scott Hartnell Hat , is beloved in Russia. Known as the protector of the weak and defender of the oppressed, St. Nicholas is an integral character in Russian Christmas.


In the most traditional icons, paintings, ornaments and figurines, St. Nicholas is portrayed as an Orthodox Bishop Cheap Craig Smith Hat , but in more modern representations there is more resemblance to "Father Christmas" and even Santa Claus.


Grandfather Frost
An even older figure with strong pagan associations, Grandfather Frost was originally associated with Christmas but became a symbol of New year celebrations during the 75-year ban on religious celebrations.


Many of the myths and legends of Grandfather Frost live on in the modern stories of Santa Claus. Accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka, he was said to deliver gifts to good children, driving a sleigh drawn by teams of white horses. He is generally pictured with a long white beard, wearing long red or blue robes trimmed in white fur.


Snegurochka the Snow Maiden
Snegurochka also plays a starring role in one of the most enduring Russian Christmas stories Cheap Mattias Ekholm Hat , the legend of the snowmaiden. According to the story, a lonely couple made a figure of a little girl from snow and prayed that for a child of their own. The snowmaiden came to life as Snegurochka, and she lived happily with her new parents until the coming spring, when she came to them with tears in her eyes and said she must return to the land of snow. Her parents couldn't bear to part with her and her mother held her fast, but the child melted away in her arms. The parents grieved all through the spring and summer Cheap Colton Sissons Hat , thinking she was gone forever, but when winter returned she reappeared and they were overjoyed. And every year thereafter, she remained with them to brighten the long Russian winter, and returned to the Land of the Snows when spring came.


Snegurochka ornaments and figurines are prized and popular Russian Christmas decorations. She is generally portrayed as a young princess, richly dressed in flowing robes and sometimes accompanied by a bird or rabbit.

Article Tags: Russian Christmas Decorations Cheap Mike Fisher Hat , Russian Christmas, Christmas Decorations, Grandfather Frost


The History of Mixed Martial Arts(MMA) Sports Articles | July 30, 2009
Mixed Martial Arts is a unique fighting sports which brings togather all forms of combat like kickboxing,Brazilian ju-jitsu Cheap Ryan Johansen Hat , judo and karate. pamkration is a fighting sports in the ancient greek period . in ancient time warrors were worship their god and faught on the stage. sometime they were faught without weapons. Ultimate Fighting Championship(UFC) is a modern and that is directed by president and CEO and this committe encourage athletics capabilities of fighter. but the actual growth was increased by reality television. modern show take pladce in octagon formation stage and that is vary exciting and that is primarly popular in north america and asia also.



The term MMA is delivered from Mixed Martial Arts, a unique fighting sport which brings together all forms of combat to create an individual sport of its own. Primary styles which are used in MMA include boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, wrestling Cheap Pekka Rinne Hat , Brazilian ju-jitsu, judo and karate.


It appears that in a form of Mixed Martial Arts named pankration was a fighting sport in the ancient Greek period. Ancient Greek pankratiasts were worshiped hero warriors including the legends of Arrichion, Dioxxipus, Polydamos and Hercules. Pankration first took place as an official ancient Olympic sport in 648 BC with fights taking place inside a combat stage which had sides of 12 to 14 feet - similar to a small modern day boxing ring. Pankration was the subject of many myths and legends. Many features of pankration now -like modern day MMA. ancient fighter in Roman times often fought in coliseum battles with no arms in a fight to the death, making it a sport with a deep history in human society.


Over the past two decades there has been a important increment in the formalisation of MMA Cheap Filip Forsberg Hat , with organisations taking form to both approve and encourage MMA at the same time. It is a unique feature of MMA, with other combat sports trusting on a promoter to produce events, and a enabling body to recognise world and regional titles.


The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has been the modern day leader in producing, promotion and recognising world champion MMA fighters and events. The UFC is directed by president and CEO Dan. Cheap Jerseys [url