Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated on January 7th. This is a public holiday, a day off in the country. In the Orthodox church calendar, the Nativity of Christ is the twelveth great holiday, one of the 12 main events of the annual liturgical circle. It is celebrated by Orthodox Christians.
Traditions and rites
According to religious traditions, all-night vigils and Christmas liturgies are held in churches. The main divine services are held in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, St. Vladimir's Cathedral, the Church of the Nativity of Christ, the Holy Protection Church, St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery. Liturgies with the participation of the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine and the Kiev Patriarch are broadcast live on the country's main TV channels.
Believers adhere to the forty-day Christmas fast, which begins on November 28 and lasts until January 6. On Christmas Eve (January 6), people abstain from food. The family sits down at the table only after the ascent of the first star in the sky, which symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus Christ. Before starting a meal, you must read a prayer. There are 12 lenten dishes on the table, which personify the 12 apostles. The main dish is kutia. In some families, according to an ancient tradition, the head of the family tosses a spoonful of kutia to the ceiling. If she sticks, then the family will have a happy year.
In the villages and cities of the western part of Ukraine, the tradition of caroling at Christmas has been preserved. Mostly children are caroling. They tell and sing carols, for which they receive sweets and money.
Young unmarried girls are wondering about their betrothed. A popular old fortune-telling is throwing a boot, removed from the left foot, out of the gate. Where the toe of the shoe will face, from that side it is necessary to wait for the matchmakers. If the sock looks at the gate, then there will be no marriage this year. Fortune-telling by hardened wax, coffee grounds and ashes is also widespread, by the images of which they try to predict the future.
Christmas decorations
Christmas is preceded by the New Year, so houses and city streets are exposed to festive decorations already at the beginning of December. Christmas trees are set up in squares, shopping centers and houses, and festive illumination is lit. In some regions, it is common to put a sheaf of hay in houses - a didukh, which they make with their own hands or buy ready-made in souvenir shops.
Particular attention is paid to decorating the festive table on Holy Evening. The table is covered with a new tablecloth, under which a bunch of hay is placed - a symbol of Christ's manger. Cloves of garlic and money are placed in the corners, which symbolize health and prosperity in the family. An ax is placed under the table, on which during dinner those sitting at the table put their feet. It is believed that such a ritual will bring good health and strength.
Festive table
On Christmas Eve, Ukrainian hostesses serve 12 meatless dishes for dinner. The main dish of the table is kutia. It is prepared from whole grains of wheat, buckwheat or rice, with the addition of honey, raisins, dried apricots, chopped walnuts and poppy seeds. The traditional menu includes dumplings, dumplings, pies stuffed with beans or beans, pickles, salads, vegetable stews, cabbage rolls with mushrooms, baked carp or pike. For dessert, pies with sweet filling and gingerbread are served. Traditional drinks are uzvar or compote of dried fruits, berries and rose hips.
Those who have been fasting begin breaking the fast on January 7th. The hostesses serve meat dishes: baked goose or chicken with apples, homemade pork sausages, aspic. Alcohol is allowed.
history of the holiday
On the territory of modern Ukraine, the tradition of celebrating the Nativity of Christ appeared after the baptism of Rus by Prince Vladimir at the end of the 10th century. Holy evening (January 6) was the beginning of the Christmas holidays - Christmastide, which lasted until Epiphany (January 19). On these days, people glorified Jesus Christ, organized festivities.
Caroling was a popular holiday activity. The carolers chose a mob (leader) who played the role of a goat. "Goat" was dressed up in an inverted sheepskin coat, horns, a tail were attached, and a bell was hung around its neck. Popular participants were the devil, the Jew, death with a scythe, gypsies. An obligatory attribute was the Star of Bethlehem on the staff, which was made of colored paper, homemade garlands and ribbons. An icon of the Birth of Christ or the Mother of God was placed in the center. Carols walked around the courtyards, acted out humorous scenes and sang songs in which they wished health and well-being to all family members. The owners of the houses presented them with festive treats and coins. If there were unmarried girls in the family, they gave each participant apples and nuts.
An important attribute of Christmastide was didukh - a sheaf of ears of rye, flax, oats or wheat. It was harvested during the harvest and brought into the house on Holy Evening. The didukh standing in the corner personified the souls of deceased ancestors and brought prosperity to the house.
In the 17th century, a nativity scene spread on the territory of Ukraine. This action represented a puppet show in which the biblical scenes of the birth of Jesus Christ were played.
In 1917, after the establishment of the Bolshevik regime, a decree was issued banning the celebration of Christmas. Divine services, the presence of Christmas attributes (trees, didukhs, stars of Bethlehem), references to this religious holiday were severely punished by law. In 1935, the Soviet government carried over the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree for the New Year, which later became the main family holiday. In December 1990, Christmas was returned to the status of an official public holiday.
Cities and resorts
Christmas holidays in Ukraine will be held in a warm and colorful atmosphere.
Enjoy the picturesque nature, touch Ukrainian traditions and culture in the Carpathians. In the city of Yaremche you can find entertainment for every taste. The Bagrovets tract has a gentle slope for sledding and beginner skiers. Nature lovers can enjoy hiking and horseback riding in the winter forests. During the Christmas holidays, fairs are held in the city, where you can buy decorations, souvenirs, gifts, handicrafts, enjoy national sweets and hot mulled wine. Yaremche is famous for its colorful festival "Karpatia", where you can watch Christmas nativity scenes. Famous actors, musicians and journalists participate in them.
Not far from the village of Polyanytsya is the Bukovel ski resort, which is recognized as the fastest growing resort in the world. It offers tourists 62 slopes of all difficulty levels, 16 lifts, equipment rental, a qualified ski school. For lovers of unusual entertainment, dog sledding and snowmobiling trips are organized.
National natural park "Hutsulshchina" will delight travelers with picturesque landscapes and preserved original culture of local residents. In the settlement you can get acquainted with the ancient traditions and folk crafts of the Hutsuls. The estate of St. Nicholas, which is located in the village of Pistyn in the park, will attract the attention of children. They will be able to visit their favorite character who lives in a colorful hutsul hut and receive gifts from him. It will be interesting to visit the unusual museum of New Year's and Christmas toys.
Ukraine celebrates Christmas today - traditions, dishes and main prohibitions 2019-01-07 12:43 1902
In Ukraine, Christians of the Eastern Rite on Monday, January 7, celebrate Christmas - one of the most solemn and joyful holidays of the year.
On this day, Christmas is celebrated by churches that use the Julian calendar in their chronology. In particular, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Jerusalem, Russian, Serbian, Georgian, Orthodox Church of the Czech lands and Slovakia, Athos monasteries, the Bessarabian metropolis of the Romanian Orthodox Church, as well as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
According to the Bible, the Mother of God gave birth to Jesus Christ, who was destined for the fate of the Savior, during a trip to the population census in Bethlehem. Since the city was overcrowded and there was no free space there, Mary and Joseph settled down for the night in a stable, next to the livestock. At the moment of the birth of the Savior, the star of Bethlehem shone in heaven, which showed the way to the wise men who brought their gifts to little Jesus.
Celebrating the Christmas of the savior of the world, Christians gather annually for solemn Christmas services.
Traditionally, Christmas in Ukraine begins with the Holy Eve - Christmas Eve. On this day, the whole family, including small children, gathers for a festive dinner. You can't be in someone else's house on Christmas Eve.
Holy evening usually begins with lighting a candle in memory of deceased ancestors and reading the prayer "Our Father". Then the owner of the house blesses the dinner.
On this day, people do not sit down at the table until the first star appears, which, as they say, showed the Magi the way to the place where the baby Jesus was.
On Holy Evening, there must be 12 lenten dishes on the table - in honor of the 12 apostles. The main treat is kutia (ritual porridge made from barley, wheat or rice). Many Ukrainian housewives add nuts, poppy seeds, raisins and honey to kutya. In addition to kutia, it is also customary to put on the festive table: lean borscht, dumplings, mushrooms, vegetable salads and pickles. Dishes are not washed down with water - only with uzvar (sweet compote from dried fruits).
The feast of the Nativity of Christ is the most revered among the twelve, it is celebrated until the next holiday - Epiphany. This period is called Christmastide. For a long time these days in Ukraine, they led a nativity scene, sang Christmas carols and wished everyone well for the whole year.
Each family member should try a little of all 12 dishes, while eating dinner completely, otherwise the refrigerator will be empty all year round.
During dinner, unmarried girls and unmarried guys should not sit on the corner of the table so as not to be left without a couple. Until the end of the meal, you cannot leave the table and from the house, so as not to let evil spirits into your home.
On Christmas Eve, it is also customary to place a didukh at the most honorable place in the house - a sheaf of wheat, oat and rye, which, according to legend, protects the house from evil spirits and personifies the well-being of the family.
Christmas is a holiday of joy and unity of human souls. The world came out of love, and at least once a year, remembering this, a new birth takes place, leaving in the past quarrels, insecurity and resentment. This holiday is intended to unite everyone, revive and do a little better.
Preparation
In every house before the start of the holiday - vanity. The hostess is in a hurry to have time to cook dinner so that everything is tidied up, cleaned, washed. In a place of honor, usually near the window, so that passers-by from the street can also see it, they put an elegant Christmas tree with sparkling lights. Children can dress her up for hours, sorting through Christmas tree decorations, choosing the most beautiful and original ones. Traditionally, a bright star is placed on the top of the green beauty.
According to the Ukrainian Christmas tradition, a table is placed in the center of the room, covered with a snow-white tablecloth. Previously, fragrant hay was thickly spread under it, but nowadays this tradition of Christmas in Ukraine has sunk into oblivion. Treats are placed on the table. Necessarily a white freshly baked roll and two glasses filled with grain, with candles inserted in them - they remind of the light of joy that came to earth with the appearance of Jesus Christ. All this creates a festive mood in the house.
Christmas menu
According to tradition, the holy supper, celebrated on January 6, should consist of 12 lenten dishes. The number of dishes corresponds to the number of the apostles. In different regions of Ukraine, this set of dishes differs from each other, but kutya and uzvar always remain unchanged.
Prepared from well-steamed wheat, with the addition of grated poppy seeds, raisins, honey, ground nuts, dried apricots, and other sweet ingredients.
Uzvar is a compote of dried fruits, in which you can use dried apples, pears, plums, apricots, rose hips. Frozen viburnum, currants, and other berries are also added for taste.
Other main dishes include dumplings and cabbage. Dumplings are made with all kinds of non-sweet fillings: potatoes, cabbage, peas, mushrooms. Cabbage is served as a separate dish (sauerkraut, stew, cabbage) or as a filling for pies and pies (the dough is made for them without adding eggs).
Fish is an important place on the Christmas table. It is advisable that one of the dishes was whole baked pike or carp, fish soup, fish cakes and fish cut into pieces and fried in batter are also suitable.
Cabbage rolls are prepared lean, with mushrooms, millet, rice. To the festive menu for Christmas in Ukraine, you can add vinaigrette, vegetable stew, assorted pickles (prepared in advance by the hostess during the harvest).
For sweets they also serve pies with poppy seeds, raisins, berries.
In general, the menu should include a fairly complete range of healthy vitamins, despite the lack of meat and eggs.
Caroling
One of the melodious traditions of Christmas in Ukraine is the Caroling ceremony. During it, they gather a company (7-12 people) and go home, singing solemn praising songs (carols) and congratulating everyone who they meet on their way with the coming Christmas. Among the carols there is a singer and one who collects gifts and gifts in a sack. If the team has people playing musical instruments, they may well support a good carol with music.
Caroling in different regions of Ukraine begins at different times. Sometimes they run as early as January 6 in the evening, and sometimes only in the morning of January 7. You can carol right up to the Meeting (February 15). But the most solemn congratulations are received from carols on the first days of Christmas. This tradition is still fully preserved in villages and towns, while in cities it has practically lost its original form.
Holy evening
Also, the traditions of Christmas in Ukraine suggest that only family members gather at the table that evening. A strict fast was observed all day, and finally, in the evening, after the rising of the first star, you can sit down at the table. Holy evening, according to tradition, begins with kuti. Each dish is served with at least one teaspoon of this delicious porridge. In the future, during dinner, you must definitely consider your strength and try all 12 dishes, at least in a small piece.
Christmas
The morning of January 7 usually begins with guests. It is considered a good omen to let a man into your house in the morning. If there is a woman on the threshold, the owners may not open the door so as not to bring trouble into the house.
It is forbidden to work or cook food on this day. All preparations had to be made in advance.
But the festive table for Christmas is replenished with dishes from a pig, which was traditionally slaughtered on the 4th (Anastasia's day), boiled pork and mouth-watering buns. On the same day, Kolyada and Christmas fortune telling begin, which last 12 days (except for the night itself on January 7 - it is considered extremely unfavorable for fortune telling).
Copy the iframe
Ukrainian Orthodox believers are celebrating Christmas for the first time in their own independent Orthodox Church in Ukraine. In honor of the holiday, a Tomos was brought to Kiev - a decree on autocephaly of the Ukrainian church, signed by Archbishop Bartholomew of Constantinople. The document is of great historical and political significance.
The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine has entered the family of Orthodox churches as an equal among equals, but there is still a lot of work ahead to strengthen it. So defined today metropolitan Epiphanius of Kiev during the festive liturgy in the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev.
“The Ukrainian Church received its independence, received a Tomos recognizing its autocephaly. We see that the Lord is clearly helping us, ”Epiphanius (Serhiy Dumenko), Metropolitan of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, addressed the believers.
Tomos, a church decree approved in Istanbul by the Synod of the World Patriarchate, was shown today to Ukrainian believers. The president Poroshenko does not hide his joy - it was from his appeal to the Patriarchate, sent back in April, that Ukraine's church independence arose.
“Our old church, the history of which dates back to the time of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, we finally freed ourselves from Moscow captivity,” the President of Ukraine said in the St. Sophia Cathedral Petro Poroshenko.
Ordinary believers, who came specifically to see the historical document, told our correspondents about the feeling of happiness and joy.
“A sense of the significance of today's event, an understanding of the importance of today's geopolitical victory of Ukraine in the world, and at the same time I am pleased that this was the result of the activities of many generations of Ukrainians, who went not only towards political independence, but also spiritual independence and autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church,” - says the Ukrainian historian Vladimir Omelchuk.
The Moscow Patriarchate of the ROC declares that both the World Patriarchate of Constantinople centered in Istanbul and the independent Kiev Patriarchate are schismatics. The most radical of the parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Church say that Satanists from the West have settled in Kiev, even the less emotional say that the Orthodox Church can only be one.
Here is what the parishioners of the church on Sparrow Hills in Moscow say:
"Separation of churches from the fact that Poroshenko and his entourage want to share the wealth of the church."
“Our loved ones, relatives who live there, and such a misfortune occurs in this country, and cannot celebrate this holiday the way we are used to.”
“We are one whole. We are not even a fraternal people, we are one people. "
These are parishioners of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Moscow. Their priest, Andrey Novikov, since 2000 worked in the Synodal Department of the Russian Orthodox Church to interact with the armed forces of Ukraine in Odessa. When Russia annexed Crimea and its hybrid forces entered the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Andrey Novikov moved to Moscow.
“In Ukraine, the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate has been and is still operating. Yes, she is being persecuted, but the faith of the believers is tempered in persecution, ”Andrey Novikov, hegumen of the Holy Trinity of the Life-Giving Trinity, told reporters.
However, the bloodshed and forcible confiscation of shrines, which Moscow patriarch Kirill, not happening. Churches are transferred to the Kyiv Patriarchate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine by the decision of their communities.
“We have broken the last ties that tied us to Moscow with its fantasies of Ukraine as the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church. This is not and will never happen, ”Petro Poroshenko said today.
For Petro Poroshenko, who emphasizes his devotion to Christianity, the Ukrainian Church's gaining independence is primarily a political success. Presidential elections are expected in Ukraine in March.
This is what people who stood in line at the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev said to Belsat:
“What Poroshenko did seems to me to be populism. After all, everything went to this, as well as visa-free. "
"Still, he did his job, accelerated events, and it still took place."
“President Poroshenko felt a historic moment in time. And this will probably bring him quite a lot of popularity among the people. It is a fact that he will be included in the history textbook ”.
“Maybe this should have been done sometime, but just now, before the elections, Poroshenko wants more points for himself, and nothing else.”
“He's just great. Although, as they say, he is not the hero of my novel, but in this case, we must pay tribute. - He defeated Putin. - Yes Yes".
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has always kept itself on the sidelines of the position of the ROC. Metropolitan shrines in Kiev opened their doors during the attempts to suppress the Revolution of Dignity by the ousted president Viktor Yanukovych... At that time, a field hospital was operating in the Cathedral, and churches were serving the funeral service for protesters shot by riot police in the square.
In Ukraine, Christmas is an important religious holiday, for which people prepare in advance. Christmas is filled with various traditions and rituals, which are observed with special zeal in Ukraine.
Starting from January 2, on which the holiday falls: Ignat's Day, Ukrainians begin to put things in order in their homes and decorate them in a Christmas style.
On Anastasia's day (January 4), the hostesses think over the festive menu and buy the necessary products. At the end of the pre-Christmas preparations for the Holy Evening on January 6, Ukrainian women set the festive table, which should include 12 lenten dishes. This tradition ends the 40-day great fast called St. Forty days or Phillips post. Therefore, you should not confuse the Christmas menu with a selection of dishes for the Holy evening.
Every year the date of the celebration of Christmas is unchanged, but why, then many of us are still lost, and do not know exactly when Christmas will come. And some, as noted earlier, confuse Christmas Eve with Holy Eve. So let's get it clear:
- January 6, 2020 - includes three holidays at the same time:
- the end of 40 days of fasting,
- Holy Evening,
- Christmas Eve.
- January 7, 2020 - Nativity.
Christmas traditions
The tradition of cooking 12 Lenten dishes for Holy Evening (Christmas Eve)
It is believed that a month "bypasses" the earth 12 times a year, so each of the 12 dishes prepared is dedicated to each month. Kutya is considered an obligatory and main dish of the Christmas holidays - it is allocated the most honorable place on the festive table. very simple, so even a novice housewife can cook it. If it happens that you have never tried this dish, be sure to cook it for Christmas Eve and Christmas 2020 - then you can surely enjoy the unforgettable taste of this dish. After the meal, the Christmas kutya in Ukrainian houses is displayed on the windows or left on the newly cleaned table, as according to the belief “on the kutya” this evening comes the spirits of deceased ancestors. A glass of water and a towel are also placed near the kuti.
Traditional Christmas menu
It is on Holy Evening that it is considered traditional to cook uzvar, porridge made from rice, millet or buckwheat, dishes from boiled peas and beans, dumplings and cabbage rolls without meat, a special place in the Christmas menu is occupied by kapusnyak. From baked goods, Ukrainians bake lean pies with mushrooms, cabbage or berries, and poppy cakes are considered a delicious Christmas delicacy.
But on Christmas itself (January 7), a big family dinner is being prepared. The fast is over, so a variety of meat dishes may be present on the festive table.
How Christmas is celebrated in Ukraine
On the first day of Christmas, by tradition, families stay at home, almost no one comes to visit. The only exception is for married children (with a daughter-in-law or son-in-law). On Christmas Eve they should visit their parents after dinner and bring them a little treat.
Christmas carols
In the evening of January 7, the first bands of carols for children appear at the doors of the houses. The texts of the carols are filled with words glorifying the Birth of a Son of God and wishes for good, joy and happiness to every home. Children adore this custom, because for each performance they will receive a sweet present or a small monetary gratitude.
In the old days, in the evening, bachelor societies were preparing for a public carriage "crowded" near a church or school. The leader was elected - Bereza (Berezai), latkovy (who collects lard and sausages), bread-monger, treasurer, a star star (who wore the dawn) was appointed, bell ringers, dancers and violinists were chosen. They had to carol for several nights in a row, until the carols went around every dwelling in the settlement.
From 8 to 21 January, godchildren carry the holy supper to their godparents, for which the latter give them gifts.
Christmas divination
Traditional Christmas rituals are fortune-telling. In Ukraine, unmarried girls are mostly guessing at the betrothed. The optimal time for Christmas fortune-telling is Christmastide - from Holy Eve to the Eve of Epiphany, that is, from January 6 to 18. Fortune-telling for the old New Year and terrible evenings on January 15-17 are considered the most faithful. Fortune-telling options are different, but most often in the old days, girls used to guess for fun. Although if you now ask your grandmothers or pro-grandmothers on this topic, you can often hear that the fortune-telling came true and once the name of the narrowed one was destined in fortune-telling.
The Nativity of Christ fills every home with a blessed atmosphere of love, joy and family happiness!
Print text
