Ukrainian Christmas is celebrated according to the Julian calendar. It starts on January 6th, Christmas Eve (Christmas is on January 7th) and ends with January 19th, 'Jordan'. In many parts of Ukraine, especially in the country's rural areas, there are many people, who still stage so-called 'vertep' or nativity scenes. The vertep originated from the puppet theater performances that thrilled audiences in Ukraine from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Ukrainian Vertep
'Vertep' – this word comes from the Greek word for 'cave' and refers to the miniature stage, in which the scenes take place. The vertep tableaux depicts little Jesus in the manger, Mary, strangers offering their gifts and the star of Bethlehem shining in the sky. Ukrainian vertep was a kind of portable puppet theater. Centuries ago, vertep was a wooden box. It was constructed as a multi-level building. The sacred act took place on the upper level and the secular one - only on the lower floor. Nowadays, the vertep scenes are exhibited not only in public areas, but also near or inside churches.
Ukrainian Shedrivky & Koliadky
Ukraine celebrates Christmas all together, as one big family. One of traditions, that demonstrates this, is so called schedrivky and koliadky - religious Christmas carols. Nowadays, children and young people keep tradition alive and visit every house in the village and sing: 'DObruy vEchir, sviAtuy vEchir, dObrum lyUdyam na zdorOvya!' It means 'Good evening, holy evening, health to you, good people!' Residents also wish them health and reward them with some treats.
- Interesting fact: the Ukrainian song Shchedryk (New Year's carol) became a base for the world famous Christmas carol, 'Carol of the Bells'. It was composed be the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. 'Carol of the Bells' was introduced to Western audiences by the Ukrainian National Chorus during its concert tour of Europe and the Americas, where it premiered in the USA on October 5, 1921. Later this song was adapted into English version and widely performed.
Ukrainian Christmas Traditions
Christmas Eve in Ukrainian language is called 'Sviaty Vechir', or Holy Evening. Sometimes also called 'Sviata Vecherya' or 'Holy Supper'. It is the central tradition of the Christmas Eve celebrations! Holy Supper consists of twelve meatless dishes representing the twelve Apostoles or twelve months of the year. The first dish in the traditional twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper is so-called kutya. It is a special Christmas sweet pudding made from wheat berries or rice, poppy seeds, honey, nuts, raisins and uzvar - a dried fruit compote. Milk or cream is also used in many recipes. Wheat berries symbolize immortality and hope, the poppy seeds and honey are symbols of hapinness and success.
Also, Ukrainians may cook for holidays their famous Ukrainian soup – borshcht, which includes potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, beets, beans and is served with bread and sour cream. No Ukrainian table will go without varenyky - one more traditional dish! Varenyky are boiled dough dumplings, filled with potatoes or cheese or fruit/berries.
There is also another tradition, which exists in some regions of Western Ukraine – decorating the table with ‘Didukh’ – a sheaf of oats or wheat of special shape: with four legs and numerous little bundles. Didukh literally means 'grandfather spirit'. It symbolizes prosperity for the next year!
The traditional Christmas greeting is 'KhrystOs narodYvsya!', which means 'Christ is born!' Other people answer by saying 'SlavImo YohO', which means 'Let us glorify Him!' Also Ukrainians say 'Z RizdvOm KhrystOvym!' - 'Merry Christmas!'
For Ukrainians Christmas is the most important holiday of the whole year! Christmas opens for Ukrainian families with attendance at Church. Church services start before midnight on Christmas Eve and continue until Christmas morning. After midnight people around the country say the traditional Christmas greeting: 'Khrystos narodyvsya!', which is answered by the others with 'Slavite Yoho!', which means 'Let us Glorify Him!'
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