Christmas is a beautiful winter holiday. In Ukraine they believe that how you celebrate Christmas, so you will spend the year. It is the most important religious holiday in the country along with Epiphany and Easter. According to the Orthodox Church, Christmas is celebrated on the night of the 6th of January. On this night people sit around the festive table and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The tables are generously set with delicious, but meatless dishes. The evening of January 6th is considered to be holy. That’s why before this evening people try to clean their houses, to restore order in everything, to purify spiritually by confessing and to make peace with their enemies. Only after that they can start preparing the holiday meals. It is necessary to have twelve dishes on the table in honor of the twelve apostles. Traditional dishes include soup, cabbage rolls, fish, beans, uzvar and, of course, Kutya - sweet rice pudding with dried fruits. No one is allowed to swear or argue on this day. All family members are supposed to be at home for supper. During the meal nobody is allowed to talk or leave the table. People don’t open the doors to keep evil spirits away. As soon as supper comes to an end, children can go outside and sing carols for their neighbors or just passers-by. They can also show a short theatrical performance. For diligence they are generously treated with sweets and pastry. That’s why children are especially fond of this holiday. The carol singers should be at home by midnight. It’s not allowed to celebrate Christmas on the road. Otherwise the year will be spent in hardship.
