Hi everyone! Christmas in Ukraine, as you know already, has its own noticeable differences, beginning with the date of celebration, and ending with the whole holiday concept. The main idea continues to be the same, but Ukrainian Christmas has its own distinguishing features because of its Orthodox origin. But there’s no denying that Christmas traditions in Ukraine are deeply rooted in pre-Christian, pagan religion as well, so that is why Ukrainian Christmas customs are absolutely unique.

Christmas cuisine in Ukraine is deeply based on traditions of celebrating this holiday. First of all, it should be mentioned that Christmas Eve in Ukraine is Lenten dishes holiday. Like the Western Advent, the Slavic people practice the Nativity Fast when fasting from meat products, eggs, poultry, oil, dairy products, fish and various kinds of alcoholic beverage. So that is why the Holy Supper (the Sviat Vechir in Ukrainian) is Lenten. Christmas meal varies from region to region, but as a matter of fact, Ukrainian ladies prepare 12 courses by the amount of the Jesus Christ’s apostles. All the members of Ukrainian families should wait for the first star in the skies. When the first star appears (it is considered to be the Star of Bethlehem), the family can gather around a table for supper. The meal pre-begins with a pray, usually the Our Father. The meal starts with eating soup (often borscht), then it comes to baked or fried fish, cabbage rolls, cooked beans, varenyki (boiled dumplings), beats with mushrooms, herring, sauerkraut and kutia – a traditional ritual sweet grain or rice dish. The very kutia is considered to be the first and the main dish of the whole meal.

As for beverages, people used to drink tea or traditionally uzvar (dried fruit compote). A traditional Ukrainian Christmas bread, so-called kolach, with three sugar rings which represent the Holy Trinity, is set in the center of the table. Kolach is broken after the Our Father pray and given to each member of the family. This rite symbolizes wealth and health in the next year.