Ukrainian Christmas Traditions
Learn about Christmas traditions from Ukraine
Most people associate Ukraine with Easter, especially eggs, but there are actually many interesting Ukrainian Christmas traditions, too. Areas with a high percentage of people of Ukrainian ancestry accept "Ukrainian Christmas" as a normal part of the year's celebrations, and many people celebrate the holidays twice -- on December 25th and again on Ukrainian Christmas.
Family matters
Ukrainians celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar on January 7th. On Christmas Eve, the entire family waits eagerly for the first star, the star of Bethlehem, before gathering for supper. There are always twelve dishes at the dinner, one for each of the apostles, and no meat (although fish is permitted).
According to Ukrainian Christmas traditions, the table must have two cloths, one for living members and one for ancestors, and an extra place is always set for deceased family. Hay is scattered beneath both cloths and the table to remind family members of Christ's birth in a manger.
All about the food
Like so many Christmas traditions, Ukrainian celebrations revolve largely around food. There are many reasons for this. First of all, much of Ukraine's culture centers on its farming heritage. Secondly, many people in the past faced daily battles with starvation, making an excess of food a true joy. And thirdly, food has often played a symbolic role in various cultures and religions.
Braided bread called kolach rests in the center of the table. Three rings rest on top of one another with a candle in their midst. The circles represent the trinity and eternity since they have no beginning and no end. One of the most popular (and most important) Christmas traditions in Ukraine is the kutia: boiled wheat mixed with poppy seeds and honey. It has a sweet taste, almost like a porridge.
The family eats blessed bread from the church, prays, and digs into their dinner. Some common Ukrainian dishes include borsch (beet soup), fish, and vushka (boiled dumplings with mushrooms and onions). And of course, there are always varenyky, better known as perogies.
So whether you're Ukrainian or not, consider incorporating some of these Christmas recipes and Christmas traditions into your family's celebration. It plan to use some of these very traditions in my own house this year.