Christmas in Czech Republic

The Christmas season starts with the feast and the visit of St. Nicholas or Svaty Mikalas on 6th of December 6th and visit of the Three Kings on 6th of January. However, the main celebrations last only for three days. Czechs believe that Svaty Mikalas climbs down to earth from the heaven using golden rope accompanied by an angel and a whip-carrying devil. One of the popular superstitions includes putting a cherry twig in water by a young girl of marriageable age on 4th of December. If it blossoms by Christmas Eve, the girl will marry sometime during the year. King Wenceslas, famous enough to have a Christmas carol in his name, was the king of Czechs once.

He was very good and a devout Christian but his firm belief in Christianity infuriated his mother and he was murdered by his brother on the Church steps. The good and kindly Wenceslas begged for mercy for his brother from God, just before he died. Later, he was crowned as the patron saint of the Czech Republic. Christmas is a quiet and peaceful religious festival here. Czechs fast for one day and have baked carp and a soup made of cod roe for Christmas dinner. The favorite Christmas pastime here is to exchange tales of mythical golden pig. St Nicholas brings gifts for good children whereas it is said that devil lash bad children. At midnight, people attend Holy Mass, known as Pasterka. Churches are decorated with evergreens and Christmas Trees on Christmas day.