Ukrainian Christmas Eve Holy Supper Traditions

Dec 1, 2010
Jennifer Ciotta

Ukrainian Christmas Traditions at Holy Supper - Oleh Petriv

Ukraine Christmas traditions focus on religion and family. Learn why Ukrainian Christmas Eve falls on January 6 & the importance of Ukrainian Holy Supper.

Although Ukrainians may be known for their elaborate Easter egg decorating, they also hold Christmas very dear to their hearts. In general, Christmas is a family-oriented holiday. Ukrainian Christmas celebrates religion, especially Mary and Joseph's journey, at the traditional Christmas Eve dinner.

Christmas Eve Dinner or Svyata Vechera

Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on a different day than Americans. Ukrainians keep to the Julian (or Orthodox) calender. Therefore, Christmas Day falls on January 7th, according to the Julian calender. Ukrainian Christmas Eve is on January 6th.

The Christmas Eve meal is called the Holy Supper, or in Ukrainian, Svyata Vechera. The cook of this meal must prepare well in advance because there are 12 courses, which represent the 12 apostles of the Last Supper. Weeks prior to Christmas Eve through the morning of Christmas Day, Ukrainians maintain a strict fast. They do not consume animal or dairy products to commemorate Mary's lack of food as she traveled to Bethlehem.

The Christmas Eve table must be set properly for a true Svyata Vechera. In remembrance of baby Jesus lying in the manger, Ukrainians spread fresh hay on their finest tablecloth. The centerpiece of the tablecloth is three braided, round loaves of bread called kalach. A candle is put in the middle. The bread is a symbol of wealth. A plentiful amount of food is very important in the Ukrainian culture, since many older Ukrainians remember the peasant famine (Holodomor) of the 1930s. During that time, peasants hadn't any access to food and millions starved to death. The peasant famine defines Ukrainian culture, so any celebration of food is welcome.

Holy Supper Kutya

The dinner begins with a prayer and then a grace of thanks for the bountiful meal. The traditional kutya is the first dish. Kutya consists of cooked wheat with poppy seeds and honey. Depending on the cook, nuts can be added as well. The father says a prayer holding up a spoonful of kutya and family members respond. Everyone must eat at least a spoonful of kutya. This tradition symbolizes the union of alive and dead family members. It is also a symbol of prosperous agriculture.

The next 11 courses are: pickled herrings or mushroom with borsch, fish, stewed fruit, pastries and nuts. Borsch is a soup made with red beets and broth from fish or mushrooms (non-meat choices to adhere to the fast). It has onions, carrots, cabbage, potatoes and tomatoes.

Everyone must try each course. For Ukrainians, this dinner is sacred. Only close family members attend Svyata Vechera.

Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner is Holy Supper. Ukrainians dedicate their January 6th to religion and family. They also remember their history and celebrate the food on the dinner table.

Check out the Suite 101 Eastern European History blog.