A Christmas in January…!!!
by Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated January seven according to the Gregorian calendar as in most of other Orthodox Christian countries.
For the Ukrainian people Christmas is one the most important family holidays of the whole year. It is celebrated solemnly, as well as merrily, according to ancient customs that have come down through the ages and are still observed today.
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The Christmas Eve is called in Ukraine ‘Sviaty Vechir’ (Holy Evening) sometimes also called ‘Sviata Vecheria’ (Holy Supper). People usually cook some tasty foods for this evening. There should be at least 12 different foods on the table. Those should mandatory include ‘Kutia’ — the ritual food which is prepared from cooked wheat and special syrup containing diluted honey, grated poppy seeds, raisins and sometimes walnuts.
As this holiday is reach for traditions we can find their representation in some American holidays, for example in Halloween.
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Halloween isn’t widely spread in Ukraine but some similar traditions are performed here for Christmas. Children this evening come around their neighbors with torches and sparclers (called here Bengal lights) spreading grains and colored seeds. They wish people good health and abundant harvest for the next year and ask for some donations. Also they perform some Christmas songs called in different parts of Ukraine ‘Koliadky’ or ‘Shchedrivky’ like these: “Radujsia zemle, radujsia. Syn Bozhyj narodyvsia.” — Joy, Earth, Joy. The Son of God was born.
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“Dobryj vechir, Sviaty vechir. Dobrym liudiam na zdorovja.” — Good evening, Holy evening. To good people for good health.
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Church services start before midnight on Christmas Eve and continue until Christmas mornings. And in the morning after the church services people return home to have the rich holiday breakfast and to exchange Christmas gifts, which are the integral part of Christmas celebration.
Image by paparutzi via Flickr
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