Christmas Day in Romania is a national holiday celebrated on December 25th, mirroring the majority of the world's traditional Christian observance. The holiday is rooted in religious beliefs, with Romania being predominantly Orthodox Christian. Christmas in Romania is special because it uniquely synthesizes traditional folk customs with religious practices, creating a fascinating combination of old and new traditions that vary slightly from region to region.
The celebration of Christmas Day in Romania often begins with a period of fasting (called 'Post') that lasts 40 days starting from November 15th. It ends on Christmas Day when Romanians indulge in a rich and abundant meal. Traditional Romanian Christmas foods include 'sarmale' (cabbage rolls), 'ciorba de perisoare' (meatball soup), and 'cozonac' (a kind of sweet bread). The festive meal is often shared in the company of family and friends, symbolizing communion and shared joy.
Another part of the Romanian Christmas tradition is caroling. Children and adults go from house to house singing carols to greet their neighbors and wish them good fortune. Some of the most popular carols include 'O, ce veste minunata' and 'Steaua'. Stories of the Nativity and Christmas folklore are also traditionally shared. Despite the modernization and Western influences on Romania, the country still maintains its old-fashioned Christmas charm, making it a magical time of year for both locals and visitors.