| An article by Ted Woloshyn about Ukrainian Christmas celebrations in Canada [message #198] |
Mon, 07 January 2008 06:17  |
 kava
Messages: 196
Registered: November 2007 |
Senior Member |
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It's beginning to look a lot like Khristos
By TED WOLOSHYN
Tomorrow evening millions of people will begin celebrating Christmas. Ukrainians are among those; there are others, but since my roots come from Ukraine I'll stick those traditions.
And by the way, it is pronounced Ukraine, not The Ukraine.
First let me say with all my knowledge -- limited as it may be -- for the 25,938 time, we don't celebrate in January in order to take advantage of Boxing Day sales.
And we also don't celebrate Christmas later than everyone else. In fact we celebrate in January, which is this first month of the year, versus December, the twelfth month of the year. Perhaps some of those accusers are taking advantage of Ukrainian Boxing Day sales on Jan. 8?
The reason for the difference in dates all boils down to calendars. Ukrainians, for the purposes of religious celebrations follow the Julian calendar, created by Julius Caesar, while the current calendar, the Gregorian, was established by golf legend Greg Norman the First. Although some believe it was the product of Pope Gregory, who was despised by most Ukrainians who are Orthodox, because he was Catholic.
Christmas Eve supper, or Sviata Vechera, begins at the sighting of the first star. There are 12 traditional dishes, representing the 12 Apostles. The dishes are all meatless, prepared with vegetable oil and devoid of animal fat because Christmas is preceded by a period of fast, to commemorate the hardships endured by Mother Mary en route to Bethlehem.
Today of course, the removal of meat from a supper table is hardly a sacrifice, when people replace it with fine seafood such as yellow fin tuna, mahi mahi, Dover sole, or sea bass, but it's the thought that counts.
Animals are the first to be fed on Christmas Eve because they protected Baby Jesus, and legend has it animals speak to each other that night, unlike some relatives at the dinner table.
The giving of gifts at Ukrainian Christmas is not nearly as common as it is on Dec. 25. Instead children receive presents on St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 19. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children, and more churches in Ukraine are named after St. Nicholas than any other saint.
Christmas carolling remains very popular with Ukrainians, as children and adults travel about entertaining at homes, often raising money for churches, and youth organizations. They are welcomed with food and drink, which unfortunately only makes them think they sound better. My friend Orest once welcomed what he thought were carollers into his home, only to be somewhat shocked when an elderly man pulled out a boom box and proceeded to play a cassette of a choir singing carols. Again, it's the thought that counts.
Following dinner many proceed to church for an evening mass, while others attend the following day. The animals, however, just nap a lot. No word on whether they talk in their sleep.
Ukrainian Christmas is indeed a very special time of the year, not better than others, simply different. It's a time to reflect, give thanks and share with others. It is a time to celebrate that Christ is born!
Khristos Rodyusa! Merry Christmas!
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