Christmas in Ukraine

                                     CHRISTMAS IN  UKRAINE

CHRISTMAS is a magical time of year in most parts of the world-  Ukraine is no exception. Traditionally, Christmas is celebrated (following the Julian calendar) on January 7th. In 2017, the Ukrainian Parliament officially recognized December 25th as well, (Per the Gregorian calendar) corresponding with most of the western world. Ukrainians now have two official Christmas’s ! Much of the secular is yet to take root so Christmas in Ukraine is all about the birth of Jesus Christ. Even daily Ukrainian greetings change in the more traditional parts of Ukraine. Instead of the normal “hello” and “goodbye”, during the Christmas season people greet with”Christ is born!” And responded with “ “let us praise him!” Still, many traditions have remnants of pagan traditions intertwined. Most of these traditions are found in the  highlight of the season, the “holy supper” on Christmas Eve. The traditional Christmas supper consists of 12 vegetarian dishes ( fish ok but no meats allowed). Symbolic of the 12 apostles who gathered at the last supper. The meal begins with the Lord’s Prayer followed by a prayer of thanks appropriate to the occasion. Each corner of the table has to have a garlic clove ( to protect from evil) and a nut ( to give strength). In the corner of the room the father places a “ didukh” ( a beautiful decorated bouquet of wheat and dried flowers) the symbol of prosperity and wealth but the word  literally means “ grandfather spirits” and also symbolizes the presence of the family ancestors. A traditional fast the day preceding the feast commemorates the hardships endured by mother Mary on the way to Bethlehem. The fast is broken at the Christmas feast, making the meal that much more anticipated and delicious. The feast traditionally begins with a spoonful of “kutya” made from wheat, honey, poppy seeds and raisins. Next comes a bowl of steaming dark red “borsch”( red beet soup) full of freshly cooked vegetables with a dab of homemade sour cream. Among the 12 dishes is”holubtsi “ ( cabbage leafs wrapped around rice or potato,) and “varenyka” a method of cooking filled dumplings in boiling liquid . A favorite dessert is the “pampushky” ( homemade donuts with favorite ingredients of poppy seeds, raisins, honey and sometimes cheese.)
Caroling is an important part of a traditional Ukrainian Christmas. Carolers bring tidings of the good news of Christ’s birth. The most popular Ukrainian carol in the United States is “Carol of the Bells”.
A lit candle is always placed in the window as an invitation to any homeless stranger to join the family in celebration of the birth of Christ. All these festivities of the “Sviatyi Vechir” or “holy evening” can not begin until the children see the first star in the Eastern evening sky, symbolizing the trek of the wisemen who came from the east to visit the Christ child.
Following the 1917 Revolution and the official founding of the Soviet Union on December 30,1922, communist influence succeeded in 1929 to ban Christmas and all other religious holidays, affecting Ukraine and all other Soviet Union member nations. That ban remained in force  until the demise of the Soviet Union on December 26,1991.  Ukrainians are adamant about their new found freedoms and Ukrainian Christians relish the freedom to openly celebrate Christmas, Easter and all other religious holidays.
Although we certainly miss our family and friends, especially at this time of year, we are excited to celebrate Christmas and enjoy the traditions of a people truly thankful for the privilege of freedom of religion. As you enjoy your own family traditions, we hope you’ll take time to ponder the symbolism of Christmas traditions of A Christ loving people half way around the world. As we wish you all a very merry Christmas,with them we declare to you-“ Christ Is Born!” “Let us praise Him!”

Much love - The Grandparent Chronicles