The article discusses the traditional Ukrainian Christmas celebrations and how they are preserved in the diaspora. The author, Christine, shares her personal experiences of growing up in Ukraine and Canada, and how she and her family celebrated Christmas according to their own traditions.
In Ukraine, Christmas was a significant holiday that began on December 24th with the St. Nicholas play, where children would dress up as various characters. The next day, Christmas Eve, was marked by a special meal called “Holy Supper,” which consisted of 12 traditional dishes. This was followed by a prayer and then the consumption of the meal.
Christmas Day itself was celebrated with a liturgy at church, where the phrase “Christ is Born!” would be echoed throughout the congregation. The author also mentions the tradition of caroling, where young people would sing Christmas hymns and collect donations for charity.
In Canada, the Ukrainian community marked two Christmases: one on December 25th and another on January 7th, which was known as “Second Christmas.” This celebration included traditional dishes, singing, and family gatherings. The author also mentions the tradition of collecting holy water from church to bless homes and loved ones for the year ahead.
The article also touches upon the Ukrainian New Year’s Eve celebration, known as Malanka, which was marked on January 13th in some communities. This celebration involved dressing up, dancing, and feasting with friends and family.
Throughout the article, the author highlights the importance of preserving traditional Ukrainian Christmas celebrations in the diaspora. She mentions how her parents kept their heritage alive by celebrating these traditions in Canada, even though they were far from home.
Overall, the article provides a heartwarming and informative look at traditional Ukrainian Christmas celebrations and how they are preserved across generations and cultures.