Вінніпеґ Український № 11 (35) (January 2018)

Peter J. Manastyrsky
M
any of today’s Ukrainian customs come to us from ancient
times. In fact Ukrainian customs date from pre-Christian
days. When Ukraine accepted Christianity in 988 AD, it
was much simpler to incorporate the ideals of Christianity into the
existing way of life, a life that was based on agriculture.
After the official introduction of Christianity by Prince Volodymyr
the Great, many of the folk customs and rites have been accepted
by the church, and adapted to the spirit of the Christian
religion. The most important and colourful part of Ukrainian
Christmas traditions is the actual Christmas Eve, or “Sviatay
Vechir”, which revolves around the twelve course Lenten supper,
This is a family affair or reunion commemorating our ancestors,
and the religious observance of Christmas, it is acknowledged on
January 6 th prior to Ukrainian Christmas Day by the Julian calendar,
established by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar in 45 BC.
In modern times Ukrainian tradition has been enriched by acceptance
of the western European Christmas tree, called “Yalynka”,
a symbol of peace and friendship. While there are regional
variations on some of the traditions and customs revolving
around Sviatay Vechir, Ukrainian Christmas Eve plays a significant
important role during the festive season.
On Christmas Eve, a lighted candle is traditionally placed in the
window as an invitation to any homeless stranger or perchance
a lost soul, to join the family in celebrating the birth of Christ.
The first star in the eastern sky announces the time for the commencement
of the “Sviata Vechera” or “Holy Supper”.
The family begins setting the table for the “Holy Supper”, first
the table is strewn with a small amount of hay or straw in memory
of the Christ Child born in the manger. A kolach (braided
loaf of bread) is placed as a central table decoration. The word
“kolach” derives from “kolo” which means round or circular, and
is a symbol of the sun. In some regions of Ukraine only one ko-
lach is used, while in others as many as three are placed on top
of one another (representing the Holy Trinity) and adorned with
evergreen. A candle is stuck into the top of the kolach, this represents
the light of the world, or the star that shone over the stable
in Bethlehem.
With the tradition, setting the dishes on the table for the immediate
family members; dishes are set for a member of the family
that has died during the year. The belief that the spirit of the deceased
unites with the family for this Holy Night. After the table
is set, the head of the household or “Hospodar” brings in a sheaf
of wheat or “Didukh” (grandfather’s spirit), a symbol of the gathering
of the family. The Didukh is placed in a corner of the dining
room beneath a religious icon, which remains until the New
Year. In recent times, particularly in urban areas, the tradition of
Didukh is replaced with a few stalks of wheat which are placed in
a vase. The Hospodar greets his family and guests to the table with
the traditional salutations, expressing joy that God has favoured
them with good health and wellbeing.
The family begins the Holy Supper with the Lord’s Prayer. The
Hospodar takes a spoon of “Kutya” (traditional wheat dish dressed
with honey, poppyseed and nuts) and gives the traditional greeting
“Khrystos Razhdayet’sia” (Christ is Born), everyone at the
table replies “Slavite Yoho” (Let us Praise Him). In the past, it
was customary for the Hospodar to throw a spoonful of Kutya to
the ceiling with an invocation for a bountiful harvest; if the kutya
sticked to the ceiling the Hospodar’s wishes will be answered.
Sviatay Vechir itself consists of twelve meatless dishes symbolizing
the twelve Apostles who shared the Last Supper with Jesus
Christ. The dishes are prepared with vegetable oil, omitting all
animal fat and milk products because Ukrainian Christmas is preceded
by a period of fasting. The day of Christmas Eve is a day of
fasting in commemoration of the hardships endured on the road
to Bethlehem.
12 Український Вінніпеґ - СІЧЕНЬ 2018 -