Caroling is the most popular Christmas tradition. They say that those who do not light the candle on Christmas and do not wait for carolers are deprived of power. Contacted by IPN, doctor of ethnology Tudor Colac said we are the richest nation by carols as we have carols for hosts, hunters and farmers. By tradition, groups of carolers go from home to home to announce the birth of Christ.
More customs and traditions appeared in time. For example, the holiday has a special significance for unmarried girls who wait for signs from nature or circumstances in the family to anticipate if they will marry the coming year or nor.
As to the duality of the holiday in Moldova, the ethnologist said celebrating Christmas on December 25 does not mean celebrating it by the Catholic tradition. “It is the Christian Christmas that is equally celebrated by Orthodox people and Catholics. There are two styles in Orthodoxy – old and new. It should be known that the Gregorian and Julian styles have always met in Europe. For example, Romania switched to the new style, but the duality there lasted for many centuries and is respected. There are Romanian communities, like those in Baragan and Dobrogei, where they continue to observe Christmas on January 7,” said Tudor Colac.
According to ethnographers, in southern Moldova and in some villages in northern Moldova, Christmas is celebrated on December 25. Those who follow the Gregorian calendar observe it on January 7.
