Christmas in Ukraine - one of the most remarkable and truly unique, family reunions, which stores a deep religious meaning, as well as brings joy and unity of human souls, thanks to its special traditions, customs and rites.
Christmas - is also one of the main Christian holidays. According to Christian belief, Jesus was sent by God to the earth to atone for sins and the salvation of mankind. From Christmas - the birthday of Christ - beginning of the modern era, "our era".
Christmas Eve and Christmas
It begins the 40-day festival, strictly ecclesiastical office in the Holy Supper, called Christmas Eve, when all the relatives gather for table waiting for the first star in the sky - it symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem from the Bible, which marked the news of the birth of the light Jesus. Therefore havtrakat and dine 6 January, on the last day of fasting is not accepted breakfast and lunch, the family begins the meal in the evening when the first star rises.
To celebrate the birth of Christ people are prepared with special diligence and be sure to advance, so in Each house has a pleasant festive fuss, followed by clean up and preparation especially tasty food.
Earlier, the hosts put a huge table in the middle of the room, cover it with a white cloth and always stele under it dried hay. According to an old belief the observance of this ceremony brings prosperity and wealth in the family, the main thing to release accumulated grievances and forgive each other quarrel last year. During meal time at the table in any case can not be swearing, arguing and swearing.
Table of 12 dishes
A place of honor in the house at Christmas to stand Didukh - rye, wheat or oats sheaf, which symbolizes the harvest, prosperity, wealth, the spirit of the ancestors and guardian family.
Festive table includes the presence of 12 coursesWhich have to be meatless. The most important dish is kutya - it soaked rice or wheat porridge with raisins, honey and nuts, dressed with a decoction of dried fruit. On Christmas Eve, the number 6 is prohibited to walk on the guests, everyone should spend the evening in a circle of relatives and friends. Previously it was thought that the first to sit down at the table should host, reading a prayer before eating, and after the rest of the family members were connected. By the end of dinner, following the traditions, kutyu left on the table for the spirits of deceased ancestors. And also put on the table glass with water and a clean towel stele.
It was considered a good omen if the first Christmas morning on the threshold to enter the man he had always been glad and gifts to gifts, so the boys in the morning ran to the neighbors, and congratulated them on Christmas Christ.
According to age-old traditions of Ukrainian January 7 the whole family attended festive church service, and after returning home, all together set the table. That day ended with a church Filippov post, and people could break the fast variety of meat dishes.
Kolyadin, Kolyadin!
The most fun and playful Christmas tradition - it is the evening of January 7, when the streets near the houses, you can see groups children dressed in themed costumes, singing carols, and with it are the sea of good mood and joy. Typically, the company is going out of 8 or 12 people, then among all the selected major, who will wear the bag with gifts earned.
After "Kolyada" begin to go home with songs and carols,Congratulating all around the holiday of Christmas and wishing people good, peace and prosperity in the coming year. For this, they are placed in a bag with various gifts, sweets and treats, and even sometimes money. A special attribute in Kolyada considered a den (small portable theater with puppets depicting the scene of Christ's birth) and Star - symbol of Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ.
It is attached to a long stick, and also decorated with colored ribbons and garlands for all to see from afar a cheerful and noisy company. Though we have listened to the Ukrainian Christmas carols, so they will continue to delight our ears and hearts.
Supper for the godfather
There is a tradition that on Christmas godchildren go to his godfather, the other parent, and bring them in the evening - rolls sweets as a thank you for all the good, thereby wishing them happiness and prosperity, and the cross, in turn, endows them gifts. This is one of the great traditions, which brings together and strengthens the relationships between people.
What will happen?
On Christmas night very often hold traditional rites - guess (we already wrote about them in this article), with which the girls want to predict their fate themselves and know what awaits them ahead. Usually the girls are wondering at her spouse. A fortune-telling methods are quite different, with candles, paper, newspapers, etc.
Christmas fills every house atmosphere of happiness, love, harmony, prosperity and understanding. The main thing - is the state of your soul, as well as mood and positive emotions that are passed around. Let there be peace and goodness in your hearts.
Happy Christmas holiday!
