Christmas in Ukraine is a very important and sacred holiday for every family. It is celebrated on January 7, which is traditionally the Orthodox or Eastern Rite (Julian Calendar) church holy day.
Traditional Christmas in Ukraine date, is January 6th (Christmas Eve in the Julian calendar) and it lasts until the Feast of Epiphany on January 19th.
Christmas Eve (Holy Eve) is also an important family tradition in Ukraine. The whole family gathers in the evening for Sviata Vecherya (‘Holy Dinner’).
On the eve of Christmas Ukrainians try to finish all the important issues, they clean and bring in order their houses.
According to Ukrainian tradition there should be 12 dishes prepared for the sacred dinner – in the honor of the 12 apostles. It is not allowed to fight or say something unpleasant during this evening, people must be pleasant and nice with each other.
All the family members should be present at home for Christmas in Ukraine. Children should be at home and help parents in preparations to the great holiday.
It is believed that all the family should finish the dinner together and leave the house if needed. It is believed that if somebody leaves earlier the evil spirit will visit the house.
During Christmas eve each of the dishes on the table should be tried at least once, so that there was no hunger during the year. So everybody at the table tries a piece of each dish to ensure the next year is prosperous and happy.
With the first evening star the family starts the sacred supper in Ukraine. It begins with lightening the candle and prays. Christmas candle is to commemorate the souls of the ancestors of the family. They leave an empty sit at the table for those, who are not with the family any more.
Traditions in Ukraine require that there should be very little alcohol drinks, but a lot of food. The dinner starts with Ukrainian kutia, borsch, and mushrooms.
They say your next year, success, relations with people and atmosphere in the house will be same as the one during this sacred supper.
The main decoration in house during Christmas in Ukraine is the didukh – a sheaf of wheat stalks. This is the symbol of the spirits of the ancestors, who return to visit their families during holy Christmas holidays.
After the Christmas is celebrated in a calm and peaceful atmosphere at home, people go out for bigger street celebrations of Christmas in Ukraine.
You will hear a lot of songs during these holidays – young girls and boys entertain their families and friends by singing to them and in exchange ask for various gifts. Usually people give them some sweets and cookies, sometimes money.
Young children are happy to participate in vertep. This is a special kind of performance, with a portable puppet theatre.
For sure Christmas feast is the season of songs and of the most popular songs are koliadki and schedrivki.
If you plan a trip to Ukraine, schedule your visit during Christmas in Ukraine to feel the atmosphere and discover more about the traditions and people of Ukraine.
Celebrations of Christmas in the center of Kiev:
