Christmas Day in Ukraine

One of the most important religious Christian holidays in our country is Christmas, which is celebrated on January 6 and 7 and marks the birth of Jesus from the Lady Mary. There are no big national celebrations on this day, all the main events are concentrated in churches and houses. First and foremost, it is a bright holiday, which is celebrated in the circle of family and friends, when the whole family gathers at one large table to honor traditional dishes.

The celebration of Christmas begins on January 6 from the evening, marking the end of the 40-day Christmas fast. The evening meal is accompanied by many traditions and rituals. According to the prescriptions of the church, a believer throughout the entire Christmas day must observe a strict fast, that is, one should not eat and drink until the evening. With the advent of the first star in the sky, the family could sit at the table, in memory of the Star of Bethlehem, who told the shepherds about the birth of Christ. On the table there should be necessarily 12 fast dishes, according to the number of 12 apostles, disciples of Christ: wheat or rice, with honey, poppy, and raisins, varenyky with cherries, potatoes, cabbage, fish dishes, lean pancakes, etc. On the night of 6 to 7 January in the churches there is a festive Christmas service.

On January 7, the whole family again gathers at the festive table, which unlike the previous evening, is generously covered with various meat dishes, the fast is over, and you can eat whatever you want. Of course, the main dish is still kutya. Another ancient tradition of Christmas in the village was caroling. Carols, or as it was customary to call them in the old days wedding ritual songs, are popular today. Children go from house to house, singing various carols, for which they are treated with sweets, sweets or give money.

The network of etate "Family Nest" invites you to celebrate Christmas in the village, and to feel the whole color and features of this bright holiday. To touch the sources and plunge into rural life, which preceded all modern traditions and rituals. Our hostesses will take care that your Christmas table is covered in the highest category, in accordance with all the canons. We offer accommodation in comfortable rooms with all conveniences or in the original rural peasant hut where Ukrainian ethnic color and mood is best transmitted.

Christmas in the village is not only a tribute to the traditions but also a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the culture and way of life in the countryside.