Christmas and New Year holidays
From September 1, 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Greek Catholic Church began to celebrate religious holidays according to the New Julian calendar, like the rest of Europe. The first winter holiday, which Ukrainians have long revered, is St. Mykola Day (now December 6 instead of December 19), which personified love for children, especially obedient ones, and generous gifts.
Christmas, one of the greatest holidays, lasts three days (now December 25-27 instead of January 7-9), starting the Christmas and New Year holidays, which «are not without a carol.» All evenings were called holy, and after sunset it was not allowed to spin, sew, or weave, so that «the evil spirit would not tangle the thread and the livestock would be well behaved on the farm.» During this period, from Christmas to Epiphany, it was not allowed to take out garbage from the house, so as not to «bring fate beyond the threshold.» Even the evening feasts in the houses stopped at that time, and the traditional greetings changed. From midnight on Christmas Eve (now December 24 instead of January 6) to midnight on Babiy Vespers (now January 5 instead of the 18th), people bowed with the words «Christ is born,» and responded, «Let us glorify him!» From Christmas to Epiphany, Orthodox Christians abstained from drinking, believing that vodka is also water, so until it is consecrated, it is «the potion of Satan, you cannot drink it, because it will drive you crazy.»
Our ancestors believed that if there is peace and grace at the family table on Christmas Eve, the whole year will be like that; if someone shouts, is naughty, calls for trouble, and God forbid quarrels or whistles in the house, because «you will gnaw your soul and whistle all your property». On Christmas Eve, they did not advise anyone to borrow anything or give anything from the house, except gifts to carolers, because then «something will disappear from the yard all year long». What is the mood on Christmas Eve – the same will be throughout the year, and whoever gets up early on this day will be agile for any work all year long. If you eat a clove of garlic on this evening and drink it with blessed honey, diseases will not cling to you throughout the year.
On Generous Evening (December 31 instead of January 13) fatty dishes are prepared. Once upon a time, a cup of honey was always placed on the table so that «there would be no quarrels in the family,» and mothers would dip their fingers in honey and make the girls’ crosses on their foreheads so that «boys would love honey like bees.» Our ancestors believed that at midnight on Melanka (December 31 instead of January 13) the sky would open and one could ask God for the most cherished things; young people would gather in groups and go from house to house, dressed as generous givers, entering only those houses where girls were being given gifts. The feast of Epiphany, or Theophany (January 6 instead of 19), concluded the colorful cascade of numerous Christmas and New Year holidays. That’s what they said: «Ivan the Forerunner baptized the Son of God and closed the doors to the holidays.» A new winter custom, known as the «butchers», which were famous for their generosity in matchmaking, engagements and weddings, was gaining daily force. It was not without reason that they said: «The Epiphany brings the matchmakers to visit». On this day, in the afternoon, girls would visit the hole in the ground, where water was blessed, and wash themselves so that they would have «rosy faces and be fresh, like the Jordan River», and mothers would take small children with them so that they would «wash themselves, gain strength from the waterandhave not only clear eyes, but also red faces».
We wish everyone good health, a wonderful holiday in a friendly family circle! Peace to all, speedy victory, and reunion of all in families!
