In Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Gregorian calendar for holidays, which means that Orthodox Christmas is
celebrated on January 7 and December 25 is a regular business day.  Russians celebrate the Roman New Year, with business closings on
December 31 and January 1.  The slow period for Russian business is December 28-January 8.

Headnote:
By Laurel Henderson
Business Information Service for the New Independent States (BISNIS) and
Alexei Kim, BISNIS St. Petersburg, Russia
With the fall of communism, there have been many changes in all aspects of life in the Russian Federation. Economically, U.S.
companies are flocking East to invest in and lead the former command economy to the prosperity of capitalism. Russians are also
revising old customs and holidays which were previously uncelebrated. Together, these changes inspire the need to learn about both
the social and business practices of our Russian counterparts, especially during the holiday season.
The Russian Orthodox Church follows the Gregorian calendar for holidays, whereas day-to-day life operates on the Roman calendar,
just as in the United States. Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7 and, therefore, business is conducted as usual on
December 25, when Christmas is celebrated in the West. However, Russians celebrate the Roman New Year, and businesses are typically
closed on December 31 and January 1. The Orthodox New Year, on January 13, is considered a work day, and generally celebrated with
an evening meal among family and friends.
Carried over from old times, the Roman New Year is the most celebrated and expensive holiday for Russians. The purchase of food is
bigger at this time than at any other time of the year. Greeting cards and gifts for the season are exchanged on New Year's, though
generally on a person-to-person basis, rather than in a group setting. Therefore, it is completely acceptable for U.S. business
people and government representatives to convey holiday wishes to their Russian associates and colleagues in traditional American
fashion.
In the United States, the slow period for business and government is roughly December 23 through January 2. In Russia, this sluggish
period is from December 28 through January 8. Schools are closed from December 30 through January 11, and those with children tend
to take time off in accordance with that. Russians who intend to leave town for the holidays generally leave around December 27.
As relations continue to improve between the two countries, it is important to learn the customs that are important to each. Knowing
when businesses and governments will be slowing down or closed is helpful when planning business trips and meetings. Not only will
travelers acquainted with the traditions of their friends and business associates benefit by knowing the practices of their
counterparts, but Russians and Americans can take the opportunity to exchange rituals and customs during the holiday season.