The name "Christmas Eve" comes from the word "sochivo" - a traditional Christmas porridge.

There should be 12 Lenten dishes on the table - according to the number of Christ's apostles - and the main place is occupied by juicy - kutya with honey and dried fruits.

First, the whole family tries kutya, then oatmeal jelly, honey water, a fish dish, cranberry jelly, and then 7 sweet flour dishes - according to the number of 7 holy sacraments.

Catholics believe that the more generous you set the table, the more luck and prosperity you will attract to your home in the coming year. Therefore, it is not customary to save on Christmas treats.

During the late supper, the participants in the meal exchange wafers - bread symbolizing the flesh of Jesus Christ - and good wishes.

One of the most ancient traditions of Christmas Eve is to put a bundle of hay under the tablecloth in memory of the birthplace of Christ.

Preparations for Christmas for Catholics begin with Advent. This is four weeks of preparation before the bright holiday. One candle is lit in each of them. On Christmas Eve, all four are on fire.

During Advent, priests conduct services in purple cassocks, as this color is a symbol of repentance for sins. Catholics do charity work, help their neighbors, go to services and decorate their homes.

On December 24, it is traditional to decorate Christmas trees, set up symbolic mangers, hang wreaths of spruce branches on doors, and confess in church.

On the morning of December 25, the first thing children do is run to look under the Christmas tree and into their socks, where gifts await them.