Since 1991, Christmas is again an official holiday in the countries of the former USSR. January 7 is considered an official day off, and the church and government are doing everything to revive pre-revolutionary traditions and rituals of celebrating Christmas.
As for pre-revolutionary traditions, Christmas began to be celebrated in Rus' since the baptism of Prince Vladimir at the end of the 10th century. Christmas: the traditions and customs of this holiday have been formed over centuries. If we consider that there were Christian communities in ancient Kyiv, then historians believe that the celebration of Christmas may have an even more ancient history.
This is interesting! Previously, it was customary to conclude labor and financial contracts for a year from Christmas until Maslenitsa.
Christmas traditions and customs in Russia are very different, some came from different nations. For example, at the beginning of the 18th century, the tradition of nativity theater penetrated from Poland to Russia. Special Christmas performances were performed from stages with the help of puppets. Most often they concerned the birth of Jesus in a cave, hiding the baby from King Herod. Later, other stories also began to appear. The tradition of such puppet shows at Christmas in the city squares continued until October Revolution 1917.
By the way, the traditions of celebrating Christmas were not always associated with the New Year tree. This tradition of placing decorated fir trees in city squares and at home took root in Russia and Ukraine only in late XIX century, but only at the beginning of the 20th century did the analogue of Western Santa Claus, Father Frost, begin to bring gifts to Russian children at Christmas. The Snow Maiden has nothing to do with Christmas at all. It was invented by Soviet children's writers in the middle of the 20th year, in honor of the New Year holiday.
After the October Revolution, all symbols of Christmas, including the theater, the Christmas tree, and gifts, were eradicated in the atheistic state. Until 1935, the country did not celebrate new year holidays. Since 1935, the state began to popularize the New Year as the main winter holiday. It draws on both the custom of putting up a Christmas tree and the tradition of showing thematic performances. The Christmas tree, as it was in pre-revolutionary Russia, is today perceived as christmas tree.
Christmas: traditions and customs are being renewed today. The bright holiday, which believers celebrate on January 7, takes its rightful and official place in the series winter holidays.
Folk traditions of Christmas
In some areas, especially in villages, the tradition of caroling has been preserved on the eve of Christmas. On the night before Christmas, the mummers bring a traditional dish to their homes - and offer the owners of the house to try it; the mummers also sing Christmas songs, for which the owners must give the mummers a treat or money.
Christmas is the beginning of Christmastide - each day after the holiday has its own religious significance, including being a time to honor the dead. Christmastide continues until January 19 - Epiphany. This time from January 7 to January 19 is an excellent time for fortune telling and performing various ritual sacraments. Most often, young girls made fortunes when they gathered together. By the way, this process is perfectly described in Nikolai Gogol’s story “The Night Before Christmas.” Young girls wanted to know when they got married, what their husband and new family would be like. It is for this reason that most Christmas fortune telling has this theme.
On the territory ancient Rus' It was believed that if a woman enters the house first on Christmas Day, it means that next year all the women in the family will be sick. Also for Christmas it was customary to wash in the bathhouse, clean the house, and put on clean clothes. On January 6, you could only drink water and eat nothing until the first star appeared in the sky.
On the Christmas table, at which it was customary for the whole family to gather, it was necessary to put traditional dishes. These included jellied meat with horseradish. Also variety of dishes from pork: roasted pig, stuffed pork head, aspic. There should be a lot of meat dishes on the table on January 7, because the long fast ends on Christmas Day. It is customary to bake a whole bird or fish; this dish symbolizes family unity in the new year.
Christmas: today some traditions and customs are forgotten, while others are being revived with a vengeance. We suggest paying attention to the beautiful custom of the first guest. The first guest is the person who brings Christmas into the house. Therefore, it is important that he comes to visit with pure and kind thoughts in order to bring happiness and prosperity to the family. The first guest must have a fir branch in his hands and must enter through front door apartments or houses. The hosts must give the first guest a gift. And remember that the first guest being a woman is not a good omen for Christmas. So, call a man earlier if possible!
Even more interesting facts you can find out from our article about
The Nativity of Christ is the main and great Christian holiday - human society has been celebrating it for more than 20 centuries in a row, from year to year. No, apparently, and there will be no other celebration in the world that would be characterized by such a rich set of traditions, signs and rituals as the Christmas holiday.
After all, the story of its appearance is connected with the birth on Earth of a baby - a “divine child” sent to earth by God to save humanity from sins. Isn't this a miracle? So everyone has been looking forward to the whole year for the eve of the Nativity of Christ, called Christmas Eve, which ends with such a significant and important holy night for each of us (December 24/January 6). According to tradition, it is on Christmas Eve after the visibility of the first star in the sky (in memory of the wonderful Star of Bethlehem, which announced to the whole world about the birth of the “divine child”) that the strict Christmas fast ends.
Why do we celebrate Christmas on January 7 (December 25) and not on some other day?
After all, none of the four Gospels states the fact of the birth of Jesus on this day...
The answer can be found by reading the history of the church in the fourth century, when the religion of Jesus was legalized by the Roman Emperor Constantine. The new church immediately decided to supplant the existing cults, and especially the deification of the Invincible Sun, whose birth was celebrated on December 25, introducing new traditions, rituals, and holidays. That is why Christians began to celebrate Christmas on this day, emphasizing the birth of the true Sun, the entry into the spiritual world of the light of the true God.
Christmas story
And this story began in the Holy Land, in ancient Palestine. The Immaculate Virgin Mary, in the last month of pregnancy, with her righteous husband was forced to overcome a long and difficult journey through mountainous and hilly terrain to get to Bethlehem for the census. The city was crowded with people coming from everywhere, and the Holy Family could not find a place to stay for the night. They were forced to seek shelter outside of Bethlehem, where they found a cattle cave in which the shepherds waited out the bad weather. According to legend, it was here that Mary gave birth to the son of God. Having swaddled the holy baby, she laid him in a manger. And the whole world rejoiced! The heavens were illuminated with a mysterious bright light emanating from the Star of Bethlehem, which unexpectedly appeared for the first time, notifying the whole world of the birth of the Savior and has now become an attribute of Christmas. According to the oldest seers, according to the Byzantine calendar, the birth of Jesus occurred in 5508 from the creation of the world.
The shepherds, who were not far from the cave, were at first frightened by the bright light and the sound of the choir from heaven, however, seeing the Angel who announced the greatest joy, they hurried to the cave to worship the Holy Child, who was peacefully sleeping in the manger for the cattle.
The light of the star also showed the way to the eastern sages - the Magi, who generously presented the baby with gold, incense and myrrh (precious fragrant oil). This is where the tradition of giving gifts to children on Christmas originates, and calling Christmas Eve the night of babies.
Christmas Traditions
In winter, when the world seems to have frozen and everything in nature is fast asleep, and instead of the colorful summer colors, only white, symbolizing spiritual purity, and black - a symbol of sin, everyone involuntarily thinks about the main issues in life. After all, from ancient times to this hour, we believe that when the clock strikes midnight, the heavens will open, and the heavenly powers will help fulfill all the wishes.
The Nativity of Christ gives us all a spiritual beginning, an expectation of something extraordinary and wonderful. That’s why it’s a homely, solemn, calm holiday. In the old days they said that on this night a very little Christ was born, so it was forbidden to make noise so as not to disturb the baby. Only family and friends should gather at the table. The traditional festive color of this celebration is white. Tablecloths, napkins, curtains, and tableware - everything is chosen in snow-white shades.
All day long (January 6/December 25), women prepared holiday dishes, and men prepared the table itself for Christmas Eve. They brought stalks of straw, which were placed under the tablecloth. All dishes were tied with red threads crosswise. This symbolized the birth of the son of God in the hay. The dishes (at least twelve) were always accompanied by songs. The main dish is Christmas kutia. The Slavs had to have freshly baked bread and special pies on their festive table, in which they placed as many coins as there were at the table. Whoever finds the coin will be lucky all year.
Traditional attributes– decorated Christmas tree on the top with a star, Christmas cards, decorative candles, Christmas wreath.
The Christmas tradition of ringing bells during a song has survived to this day, welcoming the coming of Christ.
One of the traditions of celebrating the Nativity of Christ was going from house to house singing Christmas carols and carols.
There were also many signs.
Signs for Christmas
If there is a starry sky and clear weather on Christmas night, then this is a sign of a fruitful and hospitable year.
It was forbidden on Christmas
- - sew, embroider, knit, sew on buttons so that none of your relatives lose their sight;
- - do something around the house: clean, wash, wash, sweep, so that misfortune does not affect relatives;
- - lose something so that there are no losses in the year;
- - drop the mirror to avoid trouble;
- - strangers' women should be the first to enter the house.
How to properly celebrate Christmas. What not to do. Christian traditions and customs. Signs for Christmas. How to wish Merry Christmas.
On the night of January 6-7, the entire Orthodox world celebrates the Nativity of Christ - one of the most important Christian holidays.
This is a holiday symbolizing renewal. After all, it was the birth of Christ that proclaimed a new, bright era for humanity. It is no coincidence that a new calendar was even established - from the Nativity of Christ.
The birth in the flesh of Jesus Christ from the Virgin Mary is one of the miracles revealed by the Lord to humanity. Therefore, on the holiday of the Nativity of Christ, everyone expects a miracle and prays that the next year will be better and happier than the outgoing one.
This bright holiday in Orthodoxy is one of the twelve lordly holidays and is preceded by a 40-day Nativity Fast.
Christmas celebrations begin on January 6th with the appearance of the first star in the sky. As you know, after the birth of Jesus, the first people to come to worship him were the shepherds, notified of this event by the appearance of an angel. According to the Evangelist Matthew, a miraculous star appeared in the sky, which led the Magi to the baby Jesus.
everything about Christmas
It's called Christmas Eve Christmas Eve. In Russian, the name comes from the word “sochivo”. It means soaked grains of wheat - a prototype of the well-known kutya. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6th.
On Christmas Eve, an All-Night Vigil with Great Compline is served, at which prophecies about the Nativity are sung and read.
Around midnight, Matins begins, which is performed according to the rites of the great holidays. On it they read fragments of the Gospel about the Nativity and sing the canon “Christ is born...” - one of the most beautiful canons in Orthodox worship. Next they serve the festive Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
All-night vigil- a liturgical sequence, which consists of Vespers and Matins, which received these names based on the time they were performed. Before the holidays, morning and evening services are combined into the so-called “all-night vigil,” that is, prayer that continues all night. This prayer happens only twice a year - at Christmas and Easter. Before Christmas, at the All-Night Vigil, they serve not Vespers, but Great Compline: it is performed after Vespers served on Christmas Eve, hence the name.
What to cook for Christmas:
It is customary to place 12 dishes on the Christmas table, and Kutya decorates the table. On January 6, Lent ends and Christmas Eve begins.
Each housewife prefers her own recipe for preparing Kutya. There are a great many recipes. The simplest one: take the cereal and soak it overnight, then cook until tender and add all sorts of sweets. So, for example, you can take rice, honey and marmalade, as well as millet, poppy seeds and honey, some even cook kutya from pearl barley and millet. You can add marmalade or candied fruits to Kutya.
It is also customary to serve Uzvar, a dried fruit compote, on the Christmas table.
On Christmas Day itself, believers celebrate and feast - “break their fast”; it is already allowed to eat not only fasting food, but also “meat” food.
Traditional on the Christmas table are a variety of pork dishes: jellied meat, roasted pig, stuffed pig's head, roast. Baked poultry and fish, fried and baked meat are also served on the Christmas table. in large pieces, since the design of the Russian stove made it possible to successfully cook large-sized dishes. Finely chopped meat and offal were cooked in pots along with traditional porridge. A variety of pies are also filled with meat: rolls, cheesecakes, koloboki, kulebyaki, kurniks, pies, etc. They prepare casseroles and pancakes. In addition to meat fillings, a variety of vegetable, fruit, mushroom, fish, curd and mixed fillings are prepared.
Folk traditions of celebrating Christmastide from Christmas to Epiphany are rooted in the Slavic customs of celebrating the winter solstice, C-ib reports. Mandatory attributes of the holiday were dressing up (massaging using skins, masks and horns), caroling (visits to houses by a group of fellow villagers who performed “well-wishing” sentences and songs addressed to the owners of the house, for which they received treats), carol songs, or carols, youth games and fortune telling.
Christmastide began on Christmas Eve with dinner with Christmas kutya and porridge, pie with pretzels, and for the holiday they baked figurines of animals from wheat dough, which were used to decorate tables, hut windows and which were sent as gifts to relatives and friends.
When the family gathered at the table, the elders remembered the year - all the good and bad in the past year. At the end of the meal, the children took part of the remaining kutya to grandparents, as well as to the poor, so that they too could celebrate Christmas. In some places, food and tablecloth were not removed from the table until the morning, believing that the souls of the deceased parents would come to the table to also eat.
Then the mummers, dressed in sheepskin coats with the wool upside down and animal masks, in order to be unrecognized, staged dances in houses and on the streets, staged skits and entire performances. At the end of the 17th century, nativity theater came from Poland to Russia: in a special den-box, scenes about the birth of Jesus Christ and other scenes were acted out with the help of dolls.
Echoes of pagan beliefs were also evident in the fact that It's customary to guess at Christmas time. In some villages, straw was burned on Christmastide - according to legend, dead ancestors came to warm themselves by the fire at these moments. The Church, not approving of witchcraft superstitions and pagan rituals, assimilated “harmless” customs, and they organically entered people’s life.
For Christmas, the owners always cleaned the house, washed in the bathhouse, laid out a clean tablecloth, stocked up on new clothes, which they put on at the beginning of the day, and invited single people to Christmas dinner. But in some places superstitions associated with the holiday were also widespread: they didn’t drink at breakfast plain water, since it was believed that a person who drank water on Christmas morning would be thirsty for the whole summer.
What not to do at Christmas:
On pain of all sorts of troubles, nothing could be bent, weaved or sewed on Christmas Day. The legs of the dining table were tied to each other with rope to prevent the cattle from running away from the herd. The remains of the evening meal were taken outside the fence - “so that the wolves would not harm the peasant cattle.”
A popular proverb says: Whoever slaughters cattle on Christmas Day will die in three years.
You cannot lend anything related to fire on Christmas Eve, for example, a flint, matches, a lighter, a bucket of coal or firewood, etc., otherwise misfortune will befall you.
Never sew, wash your hair, do laundry or lend money on three-day holy holidays (Christmas, Easter and Trinity), otherwise you will set yourself up for tears and poverty.
On Christmas Eve, do not borrow bread, salt or money from home, otherwise all the goods will pass through your hands. They do not cut hair or spin wool. Do not wash or boil laundry. Believers must finish all dirty work by this day on Maundy Thursday, and whoever “pulls” dirt on Christmas Eve will sit in it for the whole year.
You cannot sit at the Christmas table in mourning, that is, in black clothes - you will invite disaster.
If on this bright day a dog howls in your yard, then there will be trouble. To get rid of it, you need to immediately go up to the dog, untie it and say: “Just as the rope doesn’t hold you, so the trouble wouldn’t hold on to my house!”
Do not buy ropes on January 8, the second day of Christmas, so that there will never be someone hanged or strangled in your family. Do not cook or eat jelly on this day, so as not to invite a dead person into your house.
On the ninth of January, the third day of Christmas, do not chop wood under any circumstances before sunset.
Things to do for Christmas:
According to folk beliefs To ensure that your loved ones are happy and healthy throughout the year, on the Nativity of Christ on January 7, ask the eldest member of the family to treat all relatives with milk. When bringing milk to someone, he must say every time: “The Lord was born, the people were baptized. May you be cheerful and healthy. Amen".
On the eve of Christmas in the old days, food was taken out and left for people in need or treats were distributed - it was believed that in this way all deceased ancestors who did not have time to eat before their death satisfied their hunger. I'm going after festive feast did not clear the table so that the souls of dead relatives could eat the holiday food, and for this they will pray for you.
In a family where there is no peace and harmony, on Christmas night they put a bucket out in the cold, and in the morning they put it on the fire and say: “The ice will melt, the water will boil, and [so-and-so]’s soul will ache for me.” This water is given to the husband to wash his face or in the form of tea/soup, and they also wash the husband’s underwear in it. Holy Christmas water always helps a woman's troubles.
Ask God for what you really need at Christmas. Ask seventy-seven times and it will be given to you. Whoever asks God for something at three o'clock in the morning on Christmas Day will be given it.
If on Christmas night you look for a flying star in the sky and make a wish, then it will definitely come true.
On January 7, in the cold, jump out into the street lightly and, as soon as goosebumps appear on your body, say: “As there are so many pimples on my skin, so that I have so much money too.”
Signs for Christmas:
♦ If a drunk person shows up at your house first, the whole coming year will be filled with noise and quarrels. If a woman crosses your threshold first, then this is a sign of gossip and failure. If a man or boy - to prosperity. If an old man or woman - to a long life. If a bird knocks on your window, this is surprising news. If a beggar or a beggar woman comes to you, it means loss and need. If several people appear at once - to a rich life.
♦ If a man comes to you first on Christmas morning, wear plain clothes on this day, if a woman wears a colored dress, so that the whole year goes well.
♦ When a family sits down at the table on Christmas Day and when the first star appears, they begin to have supper, then an unmarried girl or an unmarried guy from this family, taking the first non-lenten piece into his mouth, must keep it on his tongue and not swallow until, going outside, by chance will not hear any name from people passing by. It was believed that the bride or groom would have the same name. People say that this sign has come true more than once.
♦ Cucumbers will be strong and crispy if you pickle them on the exact day of the week that Christmas was this year. A good housewife keeps the salt taken on Maundy Thursday in a secluded place for this purpose.
♦ It is a good, good omen if during the Christmas feast a domestic cat sits under the table - this means that this year no one of all those sitting at the table will die.
♦ If two people come to you on Christmas morning, there will be no death, divorce or separation in your home for a year.
♦ If someone spills or breaks something in your house on this day, then the whole year will be turbulent for your family.
♦ If a person goes to church on Christmas Day and stumbles, then twelve years later, every day, he will get sick. To prevent this from happening, you must immediately say: “I am not going to the devil, but to God, He will save me.”
♦ On the ninth of January, be sure to visit your godfathers and parents.
♦ A child who takes his first steps independently on January 10 will be healthy, beautiful and live a long life.
♦ If a sick person sneezes loudly on the third day of Christmas, he will soon recover and live for a long time. If a person who is seriously ill talks about pancakes or horses on this day, then he will soon pass into another world.
♦ On the tenth of January, do not put out the dough or kneading bowl.
♦ On the eleventh of January, do not give your husband a towel, otherwise he will begin to loosen his hands.
♦ After they knock on your door or call on January 11, do not open it immediately. Wait until they knock or call a second time, otherwise you will invite illness into the house.
♦ If Christmas Day falls on a Monday, then many men will die that year. If Christmas Day coincides with Tuesday, an even number of guests are invited to the table so as not to invite poverty into the house. If Christmas falls on a Saturday, then this year many old people will die before the next Christmas.
♦ If a midwife was called to a woman in labor and she gave birth to a child on Christmas Day, then the midwife would never take even a penny for her labors; moreover, she was obliged to become the baby’s godmother. This custom was never violated; the old people knew: whoever takes money for childbirth will spend it on a coffin for themselves.
Merry Christmas greetings:
♦ Merry Christmas! Happy bright day!
May you be lucky in everything on this day!
Let joy come into your home,
New car - in the garage,
Profitable work - in the house,
And there are many, many children in it!
♦ Let the Christmas miracle
Will give you its warmth,
May it never be bad
Meet every day with goodness!
♦ The star of goodness and magic has lit up ‒
Merry Holy Christmas!
May God protect and people help!
Let the starlight in your soul not fade away!
May your home be filled with happiness and wealth!
Love, health, peace! Merry Christmas!
♦ Let the night sparkle with magic,
A flock of snowflakes rushes upward.
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you smiles and joy.
Flow of divine love
Let it flow with wonderful light,
And the Lord will bless you
Health, happiness and success!
♦ We wish you a Merry Christmas
Smiles, sincere laughter,
Good health, success
And a lot of good things.
Let the blood flow in the heart,
And the joy lasts forever.
And may they be with you forever
Hope, faith and love!
♦ Merry Christmas to you
And I want to wish from the bottom of my heart,
So that life is full of happiness,
So that you don’t know adversity and sorrow!
I wish you to come true
All your hopes and dreams,
To pure love and tenderness
You could always enjoy!
♦ May the bright holiday of Christmas
Everything you dreamed about will come true!
Let there be a lot of joy, goodness in the house,
And let the heart not know sadness!
I wish you many fabulous miracles,
Warmth of love, spiritual purity!
And let the snowflakes fall from the sky,
Keeping the peace of heavenly beauty!
♦ It's Christmas again ‒
Celebration of the Heavenly Forces!
On this day Christ came
To save our world from evil.
Glory to Him eternal,
Conqueror of darkness!
Congratulations with all our hearts
With this great joy!
♦ The flickering of candles warms the house
And sparkles with gold,
When have a magical Christmas
The Lord will appear!
He gave his life for us -
We must remember this
And what he bequeathed to the people -
Execute diligently!
May it protect your peace
From shutter to threshold
Long-suffering love
Simple faith in God!
♦ The star lit up ‒ Christ was born ‒
And the world was illuminated with love!
Let happiness enter every home!
Have a wonderful and bright Christmas!
♦ Today Christ appeared to us,
To teach people Love.
Friends, let's celebrate everything
And let's become at least a little kinder!
♦ Let the snowflake ring
Announcing the birth
And fill you with delight
Your mood!
After all, today is Salvation,
Love's triumph ‒
The saint is coming
Christ's Christmas!
♦ When the snow covers the ground,
And Christmas will come again
Raise a glass to happiness,
For peace, for friendship, for love!
And so that without grief and doubt
May you live many bright days!
Preserve comfort and family peace
And respect from friends!
♦ Merry Christmas,
What is already knocking on the house!
Open the doors wider
You are to Love, Hope, Faith!
Fur Christmas trees
The whole house smells
Every needle
Whispers: "Merry Christmas!"
Let grievances and losses
They fly away like leaves!
Let luck come through the door
On the bright holiday of Christmas!
♦ Congratulations on Christmas!
Let a miracle happen in your life!
May joy, inspiration and goodness
They will be able to live in your house!
♦ Today is the Birthday of Christ ‒
Good news is sweeping across the planet!
I wish you Christmas this holiday
Consent and joy without end!
♦ Happy New Year!
Happy New Year's treat!
Happy New Year's Eve!
Merry Christmas!
Let everything be fine in the family,
And luck will be nearby!
May your health be good,
Happiness - bright, incomparable!
♦ Christmas has come to your home,
Happiness spread all around!
Let smiles soar in it,
And I also wish you:
Kindness and beauty
So that all your dreams come true,
May your health not fail you
And let good luck come!
When it comes, even those who do not believe feel peace and joy in their souls.
This holiday and the following holidays of the winter ritual cycle, such as the Old New Year(Generous evening on January 13), Baptism, Candlemas, accompanied for centuries large number traditions, rituals, signs, songs, sayings - some have been lost, some have become known throughout the world, like the schedrivka “Shchedrik, schedrivochka, schedrivochka, a swallow has flown in,” which the whole world knows as “Carol of the Bells.”
And even if not all of our traditions suffered the happy fate of “Shchedryk” - every year interest in everything that resonates within with the voice of distant ancestors becomes stronger, and traditions are revived. Christmas night is mysterious, and all your dreams will definitely come true. I wish you happiness, prosperity and harmony in your family!
The holiday is usually preceded by a 40-day Christmas fast, which lasts from November 27 (Filippovka). The responsibility of the housewife during this fast was general cleaning of the home and preparations for the Christmas holiday. Actually, the preparation, in fact, began in the summer, with the harvest festival, when the sheaf-didukh (the first or last sheaf of grain that was not threshed and which was believed to provide the harvest for the next year) was woven, and continued throughout the fall and winter. It was also a decoration for the house at Christmas - it performed almost the same functions as a Christmas tree today. (It is worth noting that Christmas trees in Russia and Ukraine appeared at the beginning of the last century, and in some areas they were not placed on the floor, but hung from beams near the ceiling.)
A good housewife was obliged to prepare new clothes for herself, her husband and children (which meant weaving linen, bleaching it, sewing and embroidering it with her own hands), and prepare new dishes. The owner had other Christmas tasks: to smoke the meat, put wine and vodka to mature... The final cleaning was carried out on January 2, on Ignat: the girls got to work, who not only cleaned, but also decorated the hut - with a didukh, spruce branches that were woven into a wreath - "spider".
On January 4, on Anastasia, the preparation of food for festive meals was coming to an end. On the morning of January 6, the housewife got up at dawn to collect dawn water to prepare kuti and uzvar and to light the fireplace to cook Christmas food.
January 6, Holy Evening, was also the last day of the Nativity Fast; accordingly, the meal at which they sat down after the appearance of the first star heralding the Nativity of Christ was fast. In addition, throughout the entire day of January 6, they observed a strict fast - they went hungry, with the exception of children and frail old people, who were given a little boiled food.
But in the evening, to emphasize the festivity of this moment, the table was set, although lean, but rich - at least 12 dishes were prepared. This meal was called rich kutya. It was not necessary to try all the dishes (and in large Ukrainian families there was no such opportunity) - however, each family member tried a little of all 12.
We started, of course, with the main thing - kutya, a ritual porridge cooked from wheat (in some regions - rice, barley) grain and seasoned with various tasty additives: ground poppy seeds, candied fruits, uzvar, sweet candies, nuts. The more such delicacies are present in kutia, the better, because it is a symbol of prosperity and heavenly life.
And besides this, kutia is a ritual funeral dish, so a bowl of kutia and a glass of uzvar were placed for the ancestors, whose spirits were believed to come to their home on this magical night. And kutya, as a symbol of well-being, was worn to the most dear and important people - godmothers, godparents, grandparents. This ritual is called “carrying the supper”: children carry kutya, and adults try a spoonful of kutya and give gifts to the children.
Each of the 12 dishes on the Christmas table had its own symbolic meaning.
Moreover, there are even several: the older, pagan roots of the holiday and Christian traditions are mixed. Long ago, in the pre-Christian era, our ancestors believed that in December-January a miraculous life force, which will provide prosperity and joy to both man and nature throughout the next year.
Christianity has brought a deeper meaning to purely everyday beliefs, which is why a lot of attention is paid to the 12 dishes on the table, preparation for the holiday, Christmas signs, and rituals. In general, there is no single list of all 12 dishes for everyone - our country is large, each locality has its own customs: instead of simple Lenten borscht - borscht with dough ears, empty or with Lenten filling, for example, mushrooms. Or borscht with crucian carp. Or instead of borscht there could be cabbage. In the Vinnytsia region they prepared porridge - millet or buckwheat. In some areas they served pancakes.
The main and unchanging dishes for everyone remain uzvar, kutia, Lenten dumplings, as well as various Lenten baking. The more there is, the better: this will guarantee health and strength for the owner of the house, and will bring prosperity and harvest. Rolls, donuts, pies and pies - everything will come in handy.
All this wealth, of course, had to be served on a properly decorated table. Hay from the didukh was placed on the table (the owner fed most of this sheaf to cows, sheep and goats, and brought a little into the house; his sons participated in this ritual with the owner), it was covered with a new elegant tablecloth, and dishes were placed on this tablecloth.
Typically, the first festive meal of Christmas was spent exclusively with family. After it, the children went from supper to their godparents, the youth or men went caroling, the adults got ready for church, and unmarried girls they wondered about their betrothed (although the church prohibited this).
We went to visit on January 7, after a church service and breaking the fast. The magical Christmas night is coming, and you can’t sleep that night, otherwise you’ll sleep through your happiness. Yes, this will not work: carolers sing their songs and have fun, church bells ring and people rejoice loudly as they leave the service.
On the first day of Christmas, food was already non-lenten - on the table there was lard, sausages, liver, and meat dishes loved by Ukrainians, and they were served with homemade vodka or mead. After a hearty meal, one felt sleepy, so it was time for a well-deserved rest, and after dinner they went to visit: adult children with their husbands and wives visited their parents, godfathers visited each other.
And on this holiday they forgave each other for past grievances and made peace. In general, the holiday should be spent noisily, cheerfully, in a large company of friends, godfathers, and buddies - you cannot remain alone or in a small family circle. The Kozaks had their own tasks on January 7 - it was the day of summing up the results, as well as the election of a new foreman.
January 8 is the day of the Virgin Mary, on this day the Mother of God and all women - mothers, grandmothers, wives - were revered. They could afford not to do housework (and this was simply strictly forbidden for pregnant women), and in order not to get bored, women were allowed to carol (in general, caroling is the work of men and single youth). And of course, all prayers addressed to the Mother of God on this day will certainly be heard.
Signs, rites and rituals for Christmas
- All borrowed items must be returned before Christmas.
- To dress for the festive table on Holy Evening, you need to wear new, smart and always light-colored clothes, so as not to bring mourning to the family.
- Holy evening is celebrated only by your family. If guests are unavoidable, they try to make sure that they are a happy and pleasant person. This sign is associated with the pan-European tradition of the first guest: whoever enters the house first will program the family for the whole year. And if an evil person visits the house, the year will be unsuccessful.
- Before sitting down at the table on Holy Evening, you need to blow on a bench or chair in order to blow away the souls of the ancestors who came to visit, so as not to accidentally sit on them.
- All family members should be at home on Holy Evening.
- It is also forbidden to be late to the table - you will be wandering in a distant place all year.
- During the entire dinner on Holy Evening, it is forbidden to get up from the table, shout or talk loudly - so as not to disturb the souls of ancestors and not to scare away good luck.
- On January 6 and 7, it is worth, at least in your thoughts, to ask for forgiveness from everyone you have offended, and also to forgive everyone who has offended you. It is worth noting that it is during this period that forgiveness is especially easy.
- You shouldn't go to bed on Christmas night - you'll sleep through your happiness.
- If Christmas is warm, spring will be cold.
- It is auspicious when a live fire burns in the house on Christmas - a stove, a fireplace, candles.
Christmas is important religious holiday, but Christmas Eve is no less significant. On the night of January 6-7, it is necessary to observe all the traditions and customs of this event in order to receive the support of the Higher Powers throughout the year.
For many people, Christmas Eve is significant because it is on this day that the forty-day fast ends. Finally, all food bans are lifted, and believers can once again treat themselves to their favorite dishes. The night from January 6 to 7 is no less significant than Christmas, which is why many traditions and customs are associated with it. By observing them, you will not only protect yourself from troubles and misfortunes throughout the year, but will also worthily celebrate the Merry Christmas of Christ.
Traditions and customs of Christmas Eve
The most important custom of Christmas Eve is related to food consumption. Before the appearance of the first star, no believer should eat. Once upon a time, the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem announced the birth of Jesus Christ, which is why the ban on the meal exists to this day.
After the first star appears, the whole family can sit down at the table, but it is important that there are at least 12 dishes on it. Kutya must be located in the middle of the table. It symbolizes the sacrifice and shed blood of God's Son. Peas are traditionally served in honor of rebirth, or, as they also call it, God's Spring. Cabbage dishes are considered a symbol of hope. Also, every housewife should definitely please her loved ones with borscht so that they are strong and healthy all year round. Stuffed cabbage rolls are a sign of love for the King of Heaven. Fried or baked fish symbolized faith in God and Christianity. To ensure that prosperity and prosperity do not leave you all year, there must be dumplings with your favorite filling on the table. The pagans cooked pancakes on this day - this dish meant the Sun. Believers also serve everyone's favorite pastries as a symbol of the fact that Jesus Christ became the new Sun, and his birth illuminated the Earth. Of course, porridge can hardly be called a holiday food, but it is still customary to serve it as a treat - it is believed that thanks to this there will be a new addition to your family in the New Year. Pies and other homemade baked goods attract health. Uzvar, or Christmas compote, is considered a traditional Christmas drink. With its help you will be cleansed of evil and bad thoughts.
In addition to the 12 main traditional dishes you can cook anything. Since ancient times, housewives have served jellied meat, meat dishes and mushrooms as treats on January 6th.
The main religious tradition is a visit to church. After finishing the meal, the whole family should go to church and attend the Christmas service. You can pray for yourself and your loved ones, light candles for the peace of the deceased and for the health of the living.
In Rus' on this day they preferred to stay at home. Only young girls and boys went to visit, where they had fun and told fortunes. To this day, this holiday is purely family, but this does not mean that you cannot invite friends over or visit them with gifts and, of course, treats.
It is believed that the Christmas tree is the main attribute of the New Year. Few people know that the tree is a symbol of eternal life, which the Son of God gave us. Therefore, you shouldn’t get rid of your decorated Christmas tree after New Year’s Eve: right up to Christmas, it can delight you with its bright appearance and pleasant smell.
On Christmas Eve it is customary to do charity, and it doesn’t matter whether you transfer your money to some fund or simply feed the poor. Your generosity and good deeds will turn out to be beneficial for you.
The night before Christmas young girls got together and made sure to guess. They did this using different objects: mirrors, wax, rings and even felt boots. So they wanted about the number of future children.
It is advisable not to drink strong alcoholic beverages on Christmas Eve. It was believed that on the evening of January 6, the meal should be exclusively non-alcoholic, but many still served red wine and treated their guests to it. Drunkenness and inappropriate behavior during any religious event is strictly prohibited.
The most fun part of Christmas Eve began after dinner. From that moment on, people organized noisy celebrations, but the most important entertainment was caroling. Girls and boys put on their outfits and chose the most important thing - Birch. They walked along the street, sang songs and showed a performance to those who came out at their request. Anyone could join them, and there were usually a lot of them.
The first thing you should try before your holiday dinner is honey. This way you will attract happiness and good luck into your life.
sit down festive table You can only wear clean and preferably new clothes. If you accidentally stain your outfit at dinner, be sure to change your clothes, otherwise you risk attracting poverty.
On the morning of January 6, spend as much time as possible cleaning. Be sure to sweep dust from every corner, wipe windows, doors, and throw away trash. Don’t forget that you need to put order in every room in order to save yourself from troubles and misfortunes for the whole year.
In Rus', bonfires were lit on Christmas Eve, and this tradition has several meanings. It is believed that in this way people celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ and on this occasion they had fun around the fire and sang songs. There is also an opinion that people sympathize so much with the Baby who was destined to be born in the cold season.
On the Eve of the Nativity of Christ, not only the guests, but also the brownie should be well-fed. To do this, place a small spoon of each of the twelve dishes in a small bowl and place it in any corner of your house, and then say: “Come out, Brownie, dine with us.” By following this tradition, you will protect your home from destruction, fires and burglars.
In the old days, both young girls and adult women loved to tell fortunes. Thanks to this method, they could literally look into the future and learn about what would soon happen. Christmas fortune-telling is especially popular, since on this day they are sure to be truthful and effective. The site team wishes you to find happiness and achieve all your goals, and don't forget to press the buttons and