A Very Ukrainian Christmas

Today was a very interesting day at Rotary.  We learned all about Ukrainian Christmas from our President.

Val told us all about the traditions and experiences of a Ukrainian Christmas.  

 Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated January 7 according to the Gregorian calendar as it is in most of other Orthodox Christian countries.

During the Soviet time it was not officially celebrated in Ukraine. Instead communist government tried to substitute Christmas with the holiday of New Year. But people did not forget their traditions. After gaining it’s independence in 1991 Ukraine started to celebrate Christmas officially as well.

In most parts of Ukraine on the Christmas Eve people create so-called ‘Vertep’ (means cave in ancient Greek). These are scenes from Bible of Jesus birth. They show little Jesus in manger, Mary, strangers offering their gifts and Bethlehem star in the sky. Those verteps are exhibited at public places, usually near or inside churches. At night candles are installed inside verteps for people who come to church for the night service can observe them.

The Christmas Eve is called in Ukraine ‘Sviaty Vechir’ (Holy Evening) sometimes also called ‘Sviata Vecheria’ (Holy Supper). People usually cook some tasty foods for this evening. There should be at least 12 different foods on the table. Those should mandatory include ‘Kutia’ -- the ritual food which is prepared from cooked wheat and special syrup containing diluted honey, grated poppy seeds, raisins and sometimes walnuts.

Val told us about growing up in the Pier and being excited to be able to drive the car as her Dad went visiting from house to house.  As any good Cape Bretoner would, he wouldn't say no to a drink on Christmas Eve when offered, so she got to be the Designated Driver.  (as a Cape Bretoner myself, I wondered about this as I didnt' think designated drivers existed in my parents time, although maybe that's just what my parents told me?) 

We learned alll about the food and Val's experiances growing up, it was a very fun time.

50/50 didn't go this week, the pot is continuing to grow!