December 24 according to the new calendar: When to celebrate Holy Evening in Ukraine

After the transition to the New Julian calendar, many Orthodox holidays in Ukraine moved by two weeks. Therefore, if the question arises, “When to celebrate Holy Evening according to the new calendar?”, the answer will be December 24. And Christmas will come in a new way on January 25th.

The celebration of Holy Evening depends on the cultural and religious traditions of the region. We talk about the general features of this holiday.

How to celebrate Holy Eve: basic tips

1. Preparation: Often, people prepare for Holy Evening in advance. This includes cleaning the house, preparing holiday food, and decorating the house.
2. Preparing the table: A special table is traditionally set for Holy Evening. White tablecloths and table settings are common. There should be various Lenten holiday dishes on the table.
3. Holiday Food: Holy Evening is a time for a hearty meal with family. Many dishes have symbolic meaning and are associated with religious traditions. For example, fish could symbolize fasting, and 12 dishes could represent the 12 months of the year.
4. Songs and dances: In many countries, Holy Evening is accompanied by songs, dances and traditional games. People can get together to have fun.
5. Gift Giving: In some cultures, Holy Evening is a time for gift giving. This can happen before or after dinner.
6. Rites and Prayers: Religious traditions may have various rituals and prayers related to Christmas themes.
7. Lighting Candles: Candles play an important role in holiday decorations. Lighting candles can be accompanied by prayers or simply create a cozy atmosphere.

It’s important to remember that traditions can vary depending on country, region, and even family customs. It is important to find out what traditions exist in your region in order to prepare for this holiday.

What to cook for Holy Eve: 12 Lenten dishes

At Holy Evening in Ukraine, 12 dishes are traditionally served, symbolizing the 12 months of the year. These dishes can usually be plant-based, since Holy Evening is a day of fasting. Here are some traditional dishes that may be included in dinner:

1. Kutya: This is a sweet dish made from millet, honey, poppy seeds and nuts. Kutya symbolizes prosperity and longevity.
2. Borscht: The Holy Evening version of borscht is usually prepared without meat, with the addition of cabbage, beets and other vegetables.
3. Vareniki: Typical Ukrainian dumplings with various fillings such as potatoes, cabbage, cottage cheese or berries.
4. Cabbage rolls: Cabbage rolls usually filled with potatoes and mushrooms.
5. Carp in jelly: Fish that can be cooked in jelly and served cold.
6. Poppy Buns: Sweet buns filled with poppy seeds and honey.
7. Fried Mushrooms: Fried mushrooms, often served with onions.
8. Zrazy: Potato pies filled with cheese or stewed cabbage
9. Sirniki: Curd pancakes, often served with honey or jam.
10. Pickled vegetables: Cucumbers, tomatoes, other pickles.
11. Mead: A traditional honey drink that can be served as a drink at Holy Evening.
12. Uzvar: dried fruit compote

These dishes create a varied and delicious dinner that symbolizes the joy and fellowship of family in the run-up to the Christmas holidays.

Songs and carols for Holy Evening

Carols are traditional Christmas songs sung during Holy Evening celebrations in Ukraine and many other Slavic countries. These songs have deep historical roots and serve as a means of expressing joy, blessings and good wishes in the run-up to Christmas.

Here are some features of Christmas carols:

1. Theme: Carols typically focus on scenes from the Christmas and New Year stories, including the birth of Jesus, the visit of the Three Wise Men, angelic announcements, and other Christmas-related themes.
2. Traditional Instruments: Carols are often accompanied by traditional instruments such as the trembita (long wooden trumpet), bandura (stringed instrument), lyra (also a stringed instrument) and the ancient Ukrainian sopilka (pipe).
3. Group performance: An important feature of carols is their performance in groups. Groups of carolers, usually consisting of children, teenagers or adults, visit the homes of neighbors, friends and relatives to sing carols.
4. Blessing the Home: Carolers often carry symbols of good luck, such as wheat, honey and incense, and offer blessings for the home, the land and all its inhabitants.
5. Monetary gifts: In gratitude for singing carols or as a sign of support for a tradition, people often give carolers small money, treats, or gifts.
6. Clothing of carolers: Traditional clothing of carolers can be bright and colorful. They often wear costumes decorated with embroidery, ribbons and other elements of national decoration.

Carols create an atmosphere of celebration and community connection, and are a way for generations to pass on the traditions and spirit of Christmas.

How to decorate a house for Holy Evening

Traditional Ukrainian Christmas decorations such as the spider, didukh and Christmas twigs have deep historical roots and symbolize various aspects of the Christmas celebration. Here are more details about each of them:

1. Spider:

• Description: A spider is a traditional Ukrainian Christmas decoration in the form of a spider or web, often made from straw, straw cords or other natural materials.
• Symbolism: The spider in Ukrainian culture is often considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity. It is believed that he will bring wealth to the house and protect him from poverty.

2. Didukh (Did Moroz):

• Description: Didukh is a sheaf of grain that stood in the corner at Christmas, symbolizing the spirit of the guardian of the household and the patron of the clan.
• Symbolism: Didukh is a symbol of generosity. This image is also associated with caring for the hearth and the warmth of family relationships.

3. Christmas tree or Christmas branches

• Description: These are Christmas decorations made from fir branches decorated with colorful ribbons or other decorations.
• Symbolism: These decorations have symbolic meaning and are meant to bring good luck to the home. It is believed that a decorated spruce or twigs help attract health, wealth and prosperity.

These decorations are closely associated with Ukrainian traditions and culture, and also reflect the belief in the power of symbols and traditions in the run-up to Christmas.