Many Ukrainian Christmas traditions are based on pre-Christian Pagan customs. During the preparation period it was necessary to finish all the work on the farm, to put the house in order. New lyrics were written by an American composer and the song was popularized around the world. Thank you for joining me on this journey! In addition to the kutya, there were 12 other meals cooked for the Holy Evening. Celebrating Christmas in Ukraine Holy Evening. Kateryna´s wish is that people will enjoy learning about Ukraine, about their Christmas traditions, and enjoy spending time with their families during the holidays. Today almost nobody knows that earlier Christmas carols were sung not for Christmas, but for Easter. Main Points About Christmas in Ukraine Christmas in Ukraine is not celebrated on the 25 th of December, but on the 7th of January. And this is due not only to the possibility of having more rest; it is also connected with religious holidays in this period of time. It was traditional to buy new things before the holidays come; for example, dishes and clothes for all members of the family. This day from the very morning the boys came to the houses, spread the wheat around, saying traditional congratulation rhymes at the same time. Open source. This is the crib, or rather its modern interpretation. Koliada, caroling, is a tradition that now mainly happens in villages and has been forgotten in the cities. Christmas for many Ukrainians is an important family holiday. New Year and Christmas unite many countries of the world, because most of them celebrate these events, although often at different times of the year. CHRISTMAS IS A JOYOUS DAY which opens for Ukrainian families with attendance at Church. In present-day Ukraine, such live show can still be found on the territory of western regions. Signup to receive the guide “How To Teach Your Children About Other Cultures” for resources and so much more. Young people learned new Christmas carols and rehearsed the setting of the nativity. While gift giving generally does not play a large role in Orthodox Christmas, Saint Nicolas day is also celebrated on December 19th, where children receive gifts for jolly old Saint Nick. In Ukraine, the New Year holidays are among the most important events in the year. In the times of Kievan Rus, with the adoption of Christianity and Julian calendar, March 1 officially became the New Year day. In the old days, the beginning of the new year was always associated with various important events. On this day, no one went to visit. If you are planning a visit to Ukraine during Christmastime, it might be helpful to learn the difference between the two. The day of March 1 marked the arrival of spring and still there are many rituals associated with this holiday. According to the tradition, on the eve, one should not eat anything, until the first star appears in the sky, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Its a symbol of fasting for the 3 days before Jesus was crucified but it also provides a way to provide nourishment when fasting but still preparing for the holidays. Required fields are marked *. The main Christmas meal, called 'Sviata Vecheria' (or Holy Supper) is eaten on Christmas Eve (6th January). Although they are made at Christmas time, there are also many other dishes. Once you have listened to the podcast, take a virtual field trip with your family to learn a little more about Ukrainian Christmas. All of them are diverse, but in the present times some of them can hardly be performed. This includes many significant celebrations, and at this time of the year all the people of the country have many days off. If you are planning a visit to Ukraine during Christmastime, it might be helpful to learn the difference between the two. To celebrate, people cooked festive dinner and praised the end of winter. There are numerous Christmas traditions. He also initiated celebrations with decorated Christmas trees, masquerades, congratulations and other attributes of this holiday. Traditions of celebrating it are as strong as Christmas traditions in Ukraine. In Ukrainian tradition, Santa Claus is known either as St. Nicholas (Svyatyy Mykolay, also spelled Sviatyij Mykolai) or Father Frost (Did Moroz). It is interesting that only young men could take part in this action. New Year traditions. According to tradition, preparations began in the autumn. After all, earlier the new year began on March 1, and therefore it was decided to sow grain in the house, as a symbol of the beginning of new work on land and crops. Many researchers of Ukrainian culture indicate that these traditions came from paganism. These men were called vinshuvalnyky in Ukrainian and were given sweets. Everybody woke up early in the morning and began preparing for the Holy Supper (Christmas Eve supper). Have There Always Been People on the Autism Spectrum? Christmas traditions in Ukraine Traditional Christmas celebrations in Ukraine start on January 6th (Christmas Eve in the Julian calendar) and last until the Feast of Epiphany on January 19th. In the evening of the Christmas day, the carols began to walk from one home to another, and the young people were making parties. There are 12 main dishes to symbolize the number of apostles of Jesus Christ. Another way to determine your fate is by walking near the windows of other people houses. No one snuffed out the candles. The most popular Ukrainian carol is 'Boh predvichny', some glorify Ukraine while others are ancient pagan songs converted into Christian carols. Most of Ukrainians belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church and follow the Julian calendar. You need to take any book that you like, and ask a question. Initially, it was celebrated in the spring in March, as a symbol of the beginning of works in the fields and gardens. When Ukraine was part of the former Soviet Union, Christmas Day was not a public holiday but Christmas traditions were not forgotten. Especially at Christmas, most of the dishes are vegetarian and meat is not included except for perhaps fish. I’m a mom to 4 very busy world explorers and budding chefs. These characters go together in folklore, because in the church calendar the holiday of Malanka ends the year, and the day of St. Far away villages of Transcarpathian or off-the-beaten tracks in the North all stick to the ages-old traditions of caroling and verteps – traditional Christmas plays. If you're… There is no direct translation for Schedryi Vechir which is a special performance and caroling that has some similarities to American Trick or Treating where participants visit from house to house. In modern Ukraine the New Year is celebrated “old and new style”. There is also a perception that Ukrainian dishes are all based around pork or fish, but this is not the case. In Ukrainian Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Веселого Різдва' Veseloho Rizdva (Merry Christmas) or 'Христос Рождається' Khrystos Rozhdayetsia (Christ is Born). The word has its roots in the Old Slavonic language and denotes a cave or a gap. Ukrainian Churches offer services starting before midnight on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning. The 14 of February is Saint Valentine’s Day. Whenever you decide to celebrate Christmas you can learn about their traditions and foods. In the days of the Cossacks this day was also important, because it was on September 1 that they conducted rite of passage for the Cossacks and for the first time put the recruits on a horse. There is also a perception that Ukrainian dishes are all based around pork or fish, but this is … Since ancient times Ukrainians have followed such rules - you shouldn’t eat anything all day, and only late in the afternoon, when the first … : Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated January 7 according to the Gregorian calendar as in most of other Orthodox Christian countries.. During the Soviet time it was not officially celebrated in Ukraine. And this is … People believed that at night it becomes sacred. Happy exploring! It was the nativity that became the basis for Ukrainian theatrical comedy in the 19th century. Only the newlyweds visited their parents. A person should not be in someone else’s house on Christmas … In Ukrainian tradition, Santa Claus is known either as St. Nicholas (Svyatyy Mykolay, also spelled Sviatyij Mykolai) or Father Frost (Did Moroz). On this day, the whole family, including little children gathers for the festive dinner. During the winter, people that live in colder climates like to turn the heat up and stay cozy inside. Some of them have changed a little or adapted to the modern world, but the main attributes of this holiday — carol, nativity and Holy evening remained unchanged. As time went on, there were more and more holidays; the festivities became surrounded by certain traditions and rituals that characterized a specific event. Then the mistress of the house cooked ingredients for kutya — a traditional meal for this special day. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. The traditions of celebrating Christmas in Ukraine reach back hundreds of years and boast unique authenticity and interesting rituals. Previously, such songs were used to glorify pagan gods. Learn about the rich cultural traditions for Christmas in Ukraine. Let’s learn in more detail where these traditions came from and what customs they have. After that they go to church. Since everyone was fasting before the holidays, it was also typical to stick pig before Christmas and cook meals with meat for celebration. For this, you need to go outside in the evening and the first person you meet will define your future for the next year. Ukraine has been separated from Russia for over 20 years but Kateryna expressed how misconceptions about Ukraine being part of Russia and general misunderstandings about Ukraine led to her desire to be an ambassador of her country. On the feast table, Ukrainians put 12 dishes, which symbolize the 12 apostles. Ukraine celebrates Christmas on January 7th, according to the Julian calendar, as in most Orthodox Christian countries. Saint Valentine’s Day. Additional learning for families: Ukrainian Christmas Virtual Field Trip For Kids, Read more about Ukrainian Christmas traditions: https://ukrainianpeople.us/ukrainian-christmas-traditions/, https://ukrainian-recipes.com/why-should-you-celebrate-christmas-with-your-family-12-lean-ukrainian-dishes-for-christmas-eve-and-10-interesting-old-christmas-traditions.html?fbclid=IwAR2ZJjzO3Sfbt-VSpDxYsAHRmK6kFWx5XaOvTK1bDnd7JRfgwxC3EItbsv0, https://tusib.org/language/en/christmas-in-ukraine-is-celebrating-january-7/, Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Ukraine, Your email address will not be published. All dressed in their best clothes, the table was covered with the best tablecloth, and all the meals were also festive. Long ago, this day, from the very morning, the woman of the house sets to work. Wheat and Caroling. hristmas Traditions in Ukraine. Even now, this holiday is one of the biggest events of the year. The church explained this by the fact that at the beginning of September, the first preaching of Christ came. Since then, this phenomenon has spread to all regions of the country. On Epiphany Eve the whole family gathers around the table and has festive dinner, which consists of plain food. The Christmas Eve Supper or Sviata Vecheria (Holy Supper) brings the family together to partake in special foods and begin the holiday with many customs and traditions, which reach back to antiquity. virtual field trip with your family to learn a little more about Ukrainian Christmas, Christmas food traditions for Sviata Vecheria, https://ukrainian-recipes.com/12-traditional-meals-for-sviat-vechir-ukrainian-christmas-eve.html, https://ukrainian-recipes.com/fasting-dishes-in-the-ukrainian-cuisine.html?fbclid=IwAR17cGEuLChuyBEMa2cFt4Id9BmhH7ehKIL-8f2OQMguoWki5eqyUszS1mg, Jonesin’ For Taste community on Instagram, Ukrainian Christmas Virtual Field Trip For Kids, https://ukrainianpeople.us/ukrainian-christmas-traditions/, Mary Berry’s Lavender Biscuits (Shortbread Cookies), 90 Minute Whole Wheat Parmesan Rosemary Bread Rolls, 35 Gifts under $35 for the Harry Potter Fan, Easy Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream Brownie Cake, Loco Pollo- El Pollo Loco Chicken Knock Off. Exploring the world one easy recipe at a time, January 7, 2021 / Updated January 14, 2021 / By Jade. Moreover, according to the Christian teachings, it was on this day that the world was created. Read More…, Copyright © 2021 Jonesin' For Taste Traditional Ukrainian Christmas festivities start on Christmas Eve, which is celebrated on 6 January following the Julian calendar.The Christmas celebrations end on 19 January, the date of "Yordan" or Epiphany in the Julian calendar. Basil on January 14. When the Gregorian calendar was introduced, the countries of Europe begin celebrating the New Year on January 1. Children this evening come around their neighbors with torches and sparclers (called here Bengal lights) spreading grains and colored seeds. On TV. Kateryna shares about what kinds of foods you will find at Sviata Vecheria (Christmas Eve) dinner, the beautiful tradition of Schedryi Vechir (Caroling), and some of the religious symbolism of their traditions. This means that all holidays in Ukraine lag exactly 13 days behind. Ukrainian Christmas traditions 05.01.2012, 12:53 Among the Ukrainians, the most beloved of all festivities is Christmas which covers a cycle of important fest days, centering around family and agricultural modes of life, is very colourful, being the most important part of Christmas. It was man or boy who was the first to enter the house in the morning; he wished the owners a good harvest, happiness and a good year. Depending on the region and customs, ordinary people had appropriate clothing and roles, and saints were always depicted in canonical clothes. After that, Didukh was brought into the house; it was put in one of corners of the house; it symbolized wealth, good harvest and prosperity in the family. If during the Christmas holidays vertep was the main theatrical action, Malanka celebration had its own theater and its heroes. While Ukrainian Christmas is … The most important dish of Christmas is Kutia. On 19 January it is traditional to have a bath before the sun rise to wash all your illnesses and negative energy away. Many rituals and traditions are intertwined, and rites that were used in paganism began to be used in Christianity. We observed Christmas traditions across several Eastern European countries since the beginning of the month. If you meet old woman or a man of the same sex on road, then there can be no change. Learn about the rich cultural traditions for Christmas in Ukraine. Christmas Day is a public holiday across Ukraine, so many businesses, schools, universities and public offices are closed. Those days the nativity was a large wooden box with two floors. Divine theme by Restored 316, « Ukrainian Christmas Virtual Field Trip For Kids. From time immemorial people celebrated different events. After Ukraine gained its independence in 1991, Christmas Day was made a public holiday. Usually such Christmas theater always brings an open box where the scene of the birth of Christ is depicted. It was celebrated on the eve of Christmas. Their Christmas traditions are unique and can be traced back to ancient times, although, the Ukrainians now, follow their ancestral traditions with a modern outlook. There is also a type of cinnamon roll without icing but instead of cinnamon sugar filling, itś poppy seed. The Christmas celebrations end on 19 January, the date of Epiphany, or Yordan in Ukrainian, by the Julian calendar. Initially, one person managed the nativity; such a person could handle 40 puppets, change his voice to voice each character, and sing all the songs. After the liturgy, people greeted each other with the following phrases: “Christ was born!” — “Praise him!”. Join the Jonesin’ For Taste community on Instagram where we talk about food, cultural traditions, life as an expat and so much more. One can tell a lot about the history of celebrations, rituals and much more when talking about collection of short stories by Nikolai Gogol “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka” and immense national flavor of the holiday and related traditions, but we will tell about the traditions of the New Year holidays that have survived to us. Although family gatherings were not such a challenge in the past, as families become more spread out, the Christmas Eve dinner is a chance for the whole family to gather and talk and visit together. Ukrainian Christmas customs are quite unique and deeply symbolic. September 1 marked the civil and ecclesiastical beginning of the new year. A person should not be in someone else’s house on Christmas … However, there are many fortune-telling techniques that are applicable today; for example, a very simple divination is with the book. The best time for fortune-telling is the holidays from the Holy Eve to the Epiphany; in Ukraine this period is also called Svyatki (Saint Days). It is perfect time to show all … Almost all of us know different traditions associated with the celebration of the New Year and Christmas time, but only a few can explain their origin and significance. My blog is inspired by my mixed heritage and the many places my family has lived so far (4 states and 2 countries). Other necessary ingredients were welded wheat, honey, poppy seeds, nuts and raisins. Christmas in Ukraine. Food is not eaten until the first star is seen in the sky. Since ancient times, people have always tried to look into the future and get to know about their destiny. This is a time to spend with family and closest friends, enjoy authentic Ukrainian traditions and have some family fun. Get access to the resource library for free printables, resource guides and more! But the story behind the traditional spiders and spider webs that adorn the Ukrainian Christmas tree is one of hope and joy. If a young girl is lucky enough to see a handsome guy, then she can expect positive changes in her personal life, and the same with a young man when he meets a girl. In its original Ukraine it tells the story of a swallow who visits a family and tells them of all the bounty they will have. From time immemorial people celebrated different events. The Christmas Eve Supper or Sviata Vecheria (Holy Supper) brings the family together to partake in special foods and begin the holiday with many customs and traditions, which reach back to … Photo: shutterstock.com, pinterest.com, Many Orthodox Christian churches in Ukraine observe the Christmas Day date from the Julian calendar, which is different from the more com… Then open on any page, choosing at random its number and line, and read a scrap of text. Kateryna shares about what kinds of foods you will find at Sviata Vecheria (Christmas Eve) dinner, the beautiful tradition of Schedryi Vechir (Caroling), and some of the religious symbolism of their traditions. People have always respected the Christmas holidays. Since Ukraine follows the Gregorian Calendar, their Christmas festivities run from January 6th to the 7th. Your email address will not be published. On this day, the whole family, including little children gathers for the festive dinner. Christmas traditions in Ukraine Traditional Christmas celebrations in Ukraine start on January 6th (Christmas Eve in the Julian calendar) and last until the Feast of Epiphany on January 19th. One of the most popular songs is one you might be familiar with. Participants who are dressed up walk from house to house singing carols and offering greetings and well wishes for the new year and role playing the Nativity story. Christmas was celebrated for 3 days with carols, nativity and with joy for the newborn Christ. All Christmas holidays were always accompanied by carols. Vertep with shopka should go round all the houses in the village; they tell a short story of the birth of Jesus and show bright scenes with carols. For all the time of existence of these traditions of fortune-telling, there were a lot of ways to get to know the future. The rituals of the Christmas Eve are dedicated to God, to the welfare of the family, … One of the main characters was Goat. People of this region have also best preserved traditions and rituals, which accompany the entire cycle of New Year’s holidays. In return, listeners offer small gifts of money, food, or candy. Since 2017 in Ukraine and in over 100 world countries, it is a public holiday On the top floor, there were always scenes from Christmas stories and the birth of Christ, on the lower — episodes from the life of ordinary people were shown in a humorous way. On the territory of modern Ukraine the nativity has first appeared in the 17th century. As an Eastern Orthodox nation, Christmas is one of the most important holidays of the year and is celebrated on January 7th. It was a young guy who dressed the costume and played the role. Exciting Traditions. After that they go to church. The famous Christmas carol, Carol of the Bells, is a Ukrainian folk song. For example, there were divinations where it was necessary to take the horse out into the yard from the stables or bring a cock to the house. On the night of January 6 to 7, Ukrainians celebrate one of the biggest religious holiday - Christmas. The origin of the word “kolyada” is very old. These are the days when the first swallows come, the first vegetables are planted, etc. In 15th century the New Year was postponed to September 1. In modern performances, one can also see modern heroes, for example, a doctor. The 700 Club examines the traditions of Christmas from Ukraine. It was a busy part of the year, which ended in long-awaited holidays. The 700 Club examines the traditions of Christmas from Ukraine. It was believed that it would say what the future holds. It is a very simple but nourishing dish consisting of grains, poppy seeds and honey without any fat or any special ingredients. Church services start before midnight on Christmas Eve and continue until Christmas mornings. People were baking special breads for this holiday; the breads were called Malanka and Vasily. Christmas for many Ukrainians is an important holiday. All winter holidays have always been very important and interesting. Even simpler is the way to learn about the future spouse. Although today more and more people forget about it, there are still those who use such ancient methods of foreseeing the future. On Epiphany Eve the whole family gathers around the table and has festive dinner, which consists of plain food. In our culture, there are many more ways of fortune-telling for Christmas holidays. After the evening, the meals were left on the table, meaning that the souls of the deceased relatives were waiting here. Halloween is not celebrated in Ukraine but some similar traditions are performed here for Christmas. Ukrainian Christmas Eve is not only very rich in traditional foods prepared freshly that day, and shared by the family during the Christmas Eve 12 course meatless dinner, but also myriad of traditions are practiced before and after the meal.. Also, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Traditional Ukrainian Christmas festivities start on Christmas Eve, which is celebrated on 6 January, as reckoned by the Julian calendar. With the dawn the family sat at the table, and the head was the first to try the kutya, and after all the rest did. Later, the puppet theater turned into a street one, where people, not dolls, performed the roles of all the heroes. According to the Ukrainian tradition, the whole family gathers at one table during the Christmas Eve dinner. As time went on, there were more and more holidays; the festivities became surrounded by certain traditions and rituals that characterized a specific event. The main reason to celebrate the Holy Evening was that people believed that this is the day when the souls of deceased relatives came to them and this supper was cooked for them. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Ukrainian Christmas customs are based not only on Christian traditions, but also on the pre- Christian pagan culture and religion. Pies are also popular desserts served at Christmas. Ukrainian Christmas Eve is not only very rich in traditional foods prepared freshly that day, and shared by the family during the Christmas Eve 12 course meatless dinner, but also myriad of traditions are practiced before and after the meal. Traditionally, the Christmas in Ukraine starts on January 6 with Christmas Eve. On the second day of Christmas, dances for young people were arranged. Basil (Vasily in Ukrainian) begins a new one. It was not customary to go to visit on the first day of the Christmas holidays. I empower families to look beyond their comfort zone and embrace the diverse world around them. Everyone took part in this, everyone had certain responsibilities. The tradition of caroling has remained up to this day. Ukrainian Christmas festivities begin on Christmas Eve (January 6.) The evening on the eve of this holiday is called Christmas Eve and has many interesting traditions. Ukrainian Christmas traditions 05.01.2012, 12:53 Among the Ukrainians, the most beloved of all festivities is Christmas which covers a cycle of important fest days, centering around family and agricultural modes of life, is very colourful, being the most important part of Christmas. To prepare it, one needed clean water taken to the house before the sun rises. They vary significantly at the different parts of Ukraine. Even the biggest skeptics always hope that the coming year will be better than the previous one. Everyone knows that the New Year is an old holiday; it was established by Peter the Great on the 1st of January in 1700. It was believed that this is the night when the days were starting to get bigger and the spring were coming closer. This box is usually called a “shopka”, this name comes from the Polish language. The master of the house went around all living creatures in the yard and in the garden and showered it with a specially prepared potion in order to ward off the evil spirits, at the same time the prayer was spoken out. When harvesting, people selected the most beautiful ears of wheat, oats and other cereals, made Didukh of it and kept it until Christmas. In different periods of history, they changed or vice versa — they became common for different countries and people. All customs and traditions remain till our time. On this day, people sing not only carols, but also shchedrivky. Although kolyaduvannya used to be done only by adults, it is now often done by children. Christmas Eve is a chance for all of the family to come together. With the Christianity, the traditions of singing carols have not disappeared; they have changed and began to be dedicated to religious events connected with the birth of Christ. Ukrainian Christmas traditions are based not only on Christian traditions, but also pagan roots. Traditions of celebrating it are as strong as Christmas traditions in Ukraine. In fact, the history of this celebration began much earlier. Today we stop in Ukraine to learn how to decorate a Christmas tree like a Ukrainian. The evening before Christmas is the last evening of the lean. Only boys were allowed to do it; girls were forbidden to be the first to visit the house in the morning after Christmas. They wish people good It was believed that these days you could see your future and destiny. Christmas celebrations were beginning from the very morning. With traditional sacred dishes, special songs, theatre (vertep) and many Pagan symbols. +380 66 067 90 89 WhatsApp, Viber, SMS, Calls. In our time, Kolyada means all Christmas holidays, and not just Christmas itself. The first thing was to make uzvar (similar to fruit punch) from the dried fruits harvested earlier. On 19 January it is traditional to have a bath before the sun rise to wash all your illnesses and negative energy away. Prior to Christmas, there is usually a fast. In Ukraine, the Christmas festive days are observed according to the Julian calendar, starting on January 6th, Christmas Eve and ending with "Jordan" or "Epiphany" on January 19th.Here . The Christmas performance always took place with the carols, and the comedy part — with the songs that were associated with the life of a particular village. Traditionally these were young unmarried girls that wanted to know their destiny. Let`s consider Ukrainian Christmas dinner menu. Guide to Christmas traditions in Ukraine. For the most genuine celebration of Christmas day one should venture deep in Ukrainian countryside. After the evening, caroling began. Traditionally, the Christmas in Ukraine starts on January 6 with Christmas Eve. Christmas is coming and we will tell you about the main traditions and attributes of this day The bright holiday of Christmas comes to the Christians of Western Rite Orthodoxy. Sviaty Vechir , or Holy Evening, is the Ukrainian Christmas Eve that takes place on January 6. It was customary to go to every house with the carols, therefore the carols were lasting for all holidays. In modern Ukraine the New Year is celebrated “old and new style”. and end on the Feast of the Epiphany. As we have stated earlier, it was Peter I who brought this tradition to Russian Empire. If you hear laughter and fun, then next year will be happy and cheerful for you, and if there is a quarrel, expect trouble in the coming year. Today the oldest and most interesting carols can be heard in Western Ukraine. Christmas supper, without Lenten restrictions, does not have as many traditions connected with it as Sviata Vechera. See a sampling of dishes that might appear on the table here: https://ukrainian-recipes.com/12-traditional-meals-for-sviat-vechir-ukrainian-christmas-eve.html, Or here https://ukrainian-recipes.com/fasting-dishes-in-the-ukrainian-cuisine.html?fbclid=IwAR17cGEuLChuyBEMa2cFt4Id9BmhH7ehKIL-8f2OQMguoWki5eqyUszS1mg. Ukraine to learn the difference between the two of Christ is depicted own theater and its.. Of other people houses most Orthodox Christian countries for different countries and people applicable today ; for,... Traditions are based on pre-Christian pagan customs often done by children not included except for fish... Basis for Ukrainian families with attendance at church glorify Ukraine while others are ancient pagan songs converted Christian. Colder climates like to turn the heat up and stay cozy inside which accompany the entire cycle of new day. You can learn about the future and destiny people sing not only carols therefore! Regions of the house in the fields and gardens: traditions of celebrating it as! Began much earlier clothes, the woman of the most important christmas in ukraine traditions the. Earlier, it was necessary to finish all the meals were left on the second day of the are. However, there is usually called a “ shopka ”, this holiday second day of the beginning of,. Are planted, etc visit the house sets to work relatives were waiting here the difference the! They have is the way to determine your fate is by walking near the windows of other people.! And is celebrated “ old and christmas in ukraine traditions style ” religious holiday - Christmas made a public holiday look the. 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