Priest on 12 Dishes for Christmas: It is Not a Christian Tradition.

According to ТСН: The tradition of preparing 12 dishes on Christmas Eve is purely a folk custom and has no ecclesiastical or Christian foundation. This opinion was expressed by a priest-blogger from Ternopil region.

The priest shared his thoughts on preparing for Christmas on social media, urging Ukrainians to act rationally.

12 Dishes - Not an Axiom

According to him, the number of dishes on the table is a matter of personal choice, not a strictly defined rule. He noted that many people mistakenly consider the number '12' to be an inseparable standard.

'People think that 12 dishes is some kind of axiom, a theorem. If you want, cook 15. But why? Personally, I would, for example, be satisfied with simple potatoes and a piece of herring, stewed cabbage. Cooking dinner is your right, but it has no Christian foundation or ecclesiastical basis,' emphasized the priest.

What Does 12 Apostles Have to Do With It?

The priest also commented on the popular comparison of the number of dishes with the number of apostles. He reminded that Christ's disciples 'ate what God provided' and focused on preaching, not food preparation.

• Fish and Bread: The priest reminded of biblical stories where Jesus fed thousands of people with just bread and fish.

• Rationality: He urged not to expend unnecessary efforts in the kitchen, so that later they do not have to throw away food.

A Call to Hostesses

The priest specifically drew attention to women who often exhaust themselves preparing for the holiday.

'Why work so hard, just to not consume everything the next day and throw it away? Be rational, it is your labor. The hostess should rest before the holidays. Why toil endlessly in the kitchen like Mark in hell?!' the priest concluded, adding that he himself does not cook that much.

Such statements from the priest underscore the importance of a rational approach to festive food preparation. During the holiday season, it is worth considering not only traditions but also one's own needs and capabilities, so that the celebration becomes a true moment of joy, not stress.