The Night Before Christmas

The tale of the classic Russian literature by Nikolai Gogol touches upon eternal questions of the struggle between good and evil, which runs through the heart of man. On Christmas Eve, Vakula compels the devil to fly to St. Petersburg... — this resembles the holy John of Novgorod, who made the devil carry him to Jerusalem to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. And upon returning to the village, Vakula beats the devil with a twig — this evokes images of Saint Nikita the Exorcist and the great martyr Marina of Antioch. Vakula overcomes the unclean force through faith in God, hope for the help of all saints, and the love that burns in his heart. Approved for distribution by the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church IS R20-003-0105