Christmas on December 25: The Most Important Traditions and Customs of the Ukrainian Holy Night.

According to ТСН: Beginning in 2023, Ukraine officially celebrates Christmas according to the new Julian calendar on December 25. Holy Night is now celebrated on December 24 and concludes the 40-day fasting period that starts on November 15.

Christmas is considered the second largest holiday after Easter and has many traditions and customs.

We examine the Christmas customs of Ukrainians that are passed down from generation to generation.

Features of the Christmas Celebration in Ukraine

It has always been believed that the whole family must be gathered on Christmas. Our ancestors believed that anyone who remains alone during the holiday will wander for the next year.

The Christmas customs brought together not just relatives but entire communities: it was believed that if even one villager violated the customs, misfortune would befall all villagers.

Regional rites emphasized unity. For instance, the Boykos wrapped the festive table with an iron chain and all stepped on it together to strengthen the bonds for the coming year. After Holy Night, many hosts would bind all the spoons together.

Other traditions during Christmas include festive clothing, a rich dinner, a nativity play, and Christmas carols.

Holy Night

The celebration begins with the appearance of the first star, symbolizing the birth of Christ. Then the entire family is to be gathered at a generous, but lean table, on which there must be 12 dishes.

The host should begin the dinner with a prayer and kutya. Alcohol is forbidden, and conversations at the table should be quiet. An important part is remembering the deceased: an extra plate, spoon, and glass are left on the table in the belief that the souls of ancestors will come for dinner.

After the prayer, the host pronounces the traditional wish for health and blessings, and only then does the whole family begin to eat, using only spoons.

During the evening, a candle should be burning - the 'Divine Spark of Love', and kutya remains on the table until morning for the souls of the deceased. The evening ends with family greetings and Christmas carols.

Traditionally, it is common to visit parents and godparents during this time to share the joy of Christmas with them.

12 Lean Dishes

After tidying up the house, hosts prepare a richly laden table. Twelve lean dishes are to be present - in honor of the twelve apostles. Each family member should try each one so that the year may be prosperous.

The main dish of Holy Night is kutya, made from wheat or rice and complemented with poppy seeds, nuts, and honey.

Kutya is placed in the center of the table next to the burning candle. The traditional Christmas menu also includes:

• Borscht and Uzvar - symbolize peace in the family and future prosperity;

• Fried dough balls - sweet pastries that symbolize the sun, while lean cabbage rolls symbolize joy and hospitality;

• Dumplings and porridge - pea or bean porridge attracts fertility, while dumplings provide satiety;

• Dishes made of cabbage and mushrooms - stewed cabbage signifies strength of spirit, while mushrooms represent a connection to the mysteries of nature;

• Fish - a traditional symbol of health and prosperity.

The Main Symbols of Holy Night

A traditional Ukrainian symbol for Christmas is the Didukh - a sheaf of wheat or rye that embodies the spirit of ancestors. It is made from the first or last harvested sheaf and placed in the honor place of the house - in the corner near the icons.

The Didukh is regarded as the protector of the family and as a symbol of fertility. Each year, the sheaf must be renewed, as the old decoration loses its power. After the festivities, it could be burned to free the souls of ancestors back to heaven.

Additionally, on the evening before the holiday, the host brings hay or straw into the house. These are laid on the floor, recalling that Jesus was born in a manger.

Nativity Plays and Christmas Carols

One of the most striking traditions at Christmas is the nativity play. This is a festive performance about the birth of Christ, which can be presented in various forms: as a puppet theater performance or a live spectacle. The main characters are always Mary, Joseph, and the newborn Jesus in the manger.

With the onset of darkness, another Christmas event begins - the singing of Christmas carols. Young people and children gather in groups to inform the homeowners about the joyful news. Each has their own role: ahead goes the star bearer with the Bethlehem star on a stick, followed by a bell ringer who calls people to the windows, and a gift collector who collects gifts.

The singers perform Christmas carols and enact scenes while filling the houses with laughter. According to tradition, homeowners should thank the guests with coins or sweets.

It is believed that the more singers visit the house, the happier the next year will be for the family.

Christmas Signs and Superstitions

In Ukraine, there are many signs associated with Christmas. For instance, it is forbidden to perform heavy work 12 days before the holiday; it is only allowed to care for livestock and prepare food.

On Holy Evening, it is strictly prohibited to lend money, so as not to 'forfeit' prosperity for the whole year. One should not leave the house for long (to avoid wandering for years) and should not sit at the table in dark clothing - the holiday should be welcomed in bright clothing.

Our ancestors also observed the weather on Christmas to determine how the next year would turn out:

• If there is a lot of snow or hoarfrost on the trees - good winter harvest; icicles - barley will grow; slickness - harvest of nuts;

• A starry sky after dinner foretells a dry and warm summer, while snowy weather indicates a plentiful harvest;

• If Christmas is 'green' (without snow), Easter will be 'white' (cold).

Also on Holy Evening, the behavior of the candle on the table could predict the future: a clear flame indicated a calm year, while soot suggested possible difficulties.

What Ukrainians Wear at Christmas

For the Christmas celebration in Ukraine, preparations are made in advance, and a special festive outfit is created. According to ancient traditions, people sit at the table in new clothing adorned with handcrafted embroidery.

The traditional Christmas attire consists of an embroidered jacket, a decorated girdle, a breast cloth or vest, and authentic outerwear. Young girls who go caroling always complement their outfit with colorful festive scarves.

Features of the Christmas Celebration in Different Regions of Ukraine

Ukrainian Christmas impresses with diversity, as each region has its unique rituals and tastes. In Western Ukraine, from Galicia to Transcarpathia, there is an atmosphere of colorful nativity plays and straw 'spiders' that protect the house.

Here, particular honor was given to the spirit of ancestors: In Western Ukraine, kutya is brought to the cemetery, while in Volhynia, an empty plate is left on the table for the souls of the deceased. The traditional menu of Transcarpathia is richer with Bobalka - sweet dumplings enriched with poppy seeds and nuts.

In the central regions, especially in Kyiv and Chernihiv, there is the ritual of 'Chub-Chub': while preparing kutya, mothers tug at the children's hair for the chickens in the house to lay well. Here, as well as in the south, godparents and classmates are visited with dinner and sweets in exchange for gifts.

The south and east are famous for Christmas markets and large processions of singers with eight-pointed stars.

Polissya stands out for its authentic table where one can taste Burda - a dish made of blueberries or borscht fermented with mushrooms. Hosts care for the upcoming harvest by wrapping fruit trees with straw.

Despite the differences in dishes and customs, Christmas remains a celebration that unites the community around shared values and centuries-old roots.