by Ioannesfrobenius, froebelgalleries, ©2025
(Nov. 19, 2025) — On November 28, 2025 (Julian/Old Style November 15) the majority of Orthodox Christians, who liturgically follow the Julian calendar, will have commemorated St. Philip the day before and commence what is known as “The Nativity Fast.” Most of Western Christianity no longer fasts in Advent leading up to Christmas (The Feast of the Nativity) although many Lutherans, Anglicans, and Catholics still use the liturgical color purple of mourning during the season leading up to Christmas. For the Orthodox the ancient custom of humility and penitence leading up to the commemoration of Jesus’ birth is sacrosanct. Such was the paradigm within which this author with friend and relative, Carlos Gomez, traveled to Holy Trinity Orthodox Cemetery in Jordanville, New York (jordanville.org) to prepare the grave of alias “Evgenia Smetisko” otherwise known as HIH Anastasia Nicholaevna Romanov, Grand Duchess of Russia.
Rather than discard the pumpkins from her grave used for the autumn decoration of the Romanov (aka Smetisko) grave, they were temporarily removed while freshly cut evergreen boughs were placed over her resting place. Meanwhile the pumpkins and gourds were painted bright red, metallic gold and metallic silver to convert them to naturalistic Christmas ornaments with a new post-Thanksgiving purpose. It has already snowed in Herkimer County, an area of Upstate New York where a sudden snowstorm could make entry to the cemetery impassable without any notice. Although the day was chilly, it was snowless, making the Nativity decoration event possible as well as prudent.
The tradition of decorating the tomb of the lady buried by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, at least four times annually for Nativity, Pascha, Pentecost and Fall, is now in its 20th year. Countless pilgrimages have been made with varying groups of participants, each visit unique, to prepare the grave in a fashion worthy of its dignified inhabitant.
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