The most favorite, fabulous and magical holiday of winter is Christmas, which brings back to our homes family comfort, happiness, kindness, joy and expectation of a miracle. Traditions of meeting and festive customs are passed on by Ukrainians from generation to generation.
In Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on January 7.
On Christmas Eve, January 6, Ukrainian families gather at a generous but lean table as the first star appears in the sky. It is also called the Star of Bethlehem, or the star that showed the shepherds the place where Jesus Christ was born. This day completes the period of the 40-day Christmas fast, thanks to which people could be spiritually purified by repentance, abstain from fatty foods, passions, insults, evil and other sins.
Usually the hosts conscientiously prepare for the holiday, put things in order, decorate and decorate the house. Each hostess prepares 12 lean dishes on Christmas Eve, which represent the 12 apostles of Christ. The family holiday begins with the lighting of a candle, then the head of the family says a prayer, everyone tastes the first dish in turn and proceeds to the festive dinner.
The difference between Catholics and Orthodox is the first dish, which starts the feast at the festive table. The main dish that begins the Christmas meal and which must be served first is kutia. It symbolizes prosperity and well-being in the house and is always made sweet. It is made of wheat porridge with the addition of a large number of raisins, poppy seeds, honey and nuts.
In addition to kutia, they cook pampukhas, uzvar, dumplings, lean stuffed cabbage rolls, borscht, mushroom gravy (machanka), fish, ears, boiled peas, potatoes, garlic. Dishes, depending on the region, may vary slightly, but should be exclusively lean.
The celebration of Christ's birthday begins early in the morning on January 7, when parishioners go to the morning service. After the service, people visit their relatives, friends, and commemorate the dead at dinner. Children have fun singing carols, participate in nativity scenes. An alternative greeting on this day is to say "Christ is born", which should be answered with "Glory to Him".