Christmas in Ukraine

Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated January 7 according to the Gregorian calendar as in 

most of other Orthodox Christian countries.

Christmas is Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.  

For millions of Christians throughout the world it is the happiest and the busiest 

time of the year. The word Christmas comes from christes masse that means 

Mass of Christ.  Ukrainian Christmas customs are based not only on Christian 

traditions, but also on the pre- Christian pagan culture and religion. 

Ukrainian Christmas customs are quite unique and deeply symbolic. There are numerous 

Christmas traditions. They vary significantly at the different parts of Ukraine.

The Christmas Eve is called in Ukraine ‘Sviaty Vechir’ (Holy Evening) 

sometimes also called ‘Sviata Vecheria’ (Holy Supper). People usually cook some tasty 

foods for this evening. There should be at least 12 different foods on the table. 

Those should mandatory include ‘Kutia’ -- the ritual food which is prepared from 

cooked wheat and special syrup containing diluted honey, grated poppy seeds, raisins 

and sometimes walnuts. The rituals of the Christmas Eve are dedicated to God, to the 

welfare of the family, and to the commemoration of the forefathers. 

The Christmas Eve Supper begins once the children of the family sight the first star 

in the evening sky, recalling the journey of the wise men towards Bethlehem. 

The table is covered with two tablecloths, one for the ancestors of the family, 

the second for the living members. In pagan times ancestors were considered to be 

benevolent spirits, who, when properly respected, brought good fortune to the living 

family members. The table may has one extra place-setting for the deceased family members,

whose souls, according to the belief, come on Christmas Eve and partake of the food.

St. Nicolas (Santa Claus) also called here ‘Did Moroz’ is an ubiquitous Christmas 

character and is supposed to bring some gifts under the Christmas tree this night.

For this evening people install and decorate Christmas trees in their houses. 

(Sometimes they are called also ‘Novorichna Jalynka’ -- New-Year’s fir tree here). 

Another tradition exists in some regions of Western Ukraine to decorate the table with 

‘Didukh’  (meaning grandfather) is a sheaf of wheat stalks or made of mixed grain 

stalks.  It is placed under the icons in the house. In Ukraine, this is a very important 

Christmas tradition, because the stalks of grain symbolize all the ancestors 

of the family, and it is believed that their spirits reside in it during the holidays. 

It symbolizes prosperity for the next year.

After the didukh is positioned in the place of honor, the father or head of the 

household places a bowl of kutia (boiled wheat mixed with poppy seeds and honey) next 

to it. Kutia is the most important food of the entire Christmas Eve Supper, and is also 

called God's Food. A jug of uzvar (stewed fruits, which should contain twelve different 

fruits) and is called God's Drink, is also served.

A kolach (Christmas bread) is placed in the center of the table. This bread is braided 

into a ring, and three such rings are placed one on top of the other, with a candle in 

the center of the top one. The three rings symbolize the Trinity and the circular form 

represents Eternity.

There are twelve courses in the Supper, because according to the Christian tradition 

each course is dedicated to one of Christ's Apostles. According to the ancient pagan 

belief, each course stood was for every full moon during the course of the year. 

The courses are meatless because there is a period of fasting required by the Church 

until Christmas Day. However, for the pagans the meatless dishes were a form of bloodless 

sacrifice to the gods.

The first course is always kutia. It is the main dish of the whole supper. 

Then comes borshch (beet soup) with vushka (boiled dumplings filled with chopped 

mushrooms and onions). This is followed by a variety of fish - baked, broiled, fried, 

cold in aspic, fish balls, marinated herring and so on. Then come varenyky (boiled 

dumplings filled with cabbage, potatoes, buckwheat grains, or prunes. There are also 

holubtsi (stuffed cabbage), and the supper ends with uzvar.

Halloween is not celebrated in Ukraine but some similar traditions are performed for 

Christmas. Children this evening come around their neighbors with torches and sparclers 

(called here Bengal lights) spreading grains and colored seeds. They wish people good 

health and abundant harvest for the next year and ask for some donations. Also they 

perform some Christmas songs called in different parts of Ukraine ‘Koliadky’ or 

‘Shchedrivky’ like these:

"Radujsia zemle, radujsia. Syn Bozhyj narodyvsia." -- Joy, Earth, Joy. The Son of God 

was born.

"Dobryj vechir, Sviaty vechir. Dobrym liudiam na zdorovja." -- Good evening, Holy evening. 

To good people for good health.

Next day in some villages in Western Ukraine people organize some folk performances 

which obviously were inspired by ancient pagan habits. They dress up themselves as 

monsters with pelts and horns and run through the village trying to scare people. 

After that they run to the special place on the outskirts of the village and there 

happens the main act: they fight with all people of the village and finally are 

defeated. The scarecrows are burned in the big fire. And all people are dancing around 

this fire. This symbolizes the fight of Good and Evil and that Good defeated Evil 

for the whole next year.

Merry Christmas to all of you and please know that we love everyone of you.

"Peace on Earth! Good will towards men!".