Traditions

Ukraine

Christmas

Christmas was not officially celebrated in Ukraine until after gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Although suppressed by the communist government for 70 years, rich Christmas traditions have survived in Ukraine. Ukrainians of the Orthodox Church refer to Christmas as Nativity and celebrate according to the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in the 17th century. A 13-day difference, Nativity is celebrated on January 7. Presents are commonly exchanged on St. Nicholas Day, December 6, but in the Orthodox Church this becomes December 23, just prior to gift giving in the western world. Holy icons are found in a place of honor in every Christian home. 

Here is a sample of Holiday cooking in Ukraine
   

       Main Dish
      
      Side Dishes
      Candy,cookies
   

   

       Crabmeat and Eggs
       HotCranberry Drink
       Cheesy-Brocolli Casserole
       Poppycock
   

   

        Cheesy Bacon-Baked Potato
        SpicedPercolator Punsh
        Swiss Fried Potatoes
        Grand Marnier Balls
    

    

         Crockpot Chicken
         Christmas Sangria
         Kytya
         Cookies
    








Easter

 Easter is the feast of the resurrection of Christ. It is celebrated according to the Moon calendar on the first Sunday after the first spring full Moon. The Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Churches use the Julian calendar, so Easter in Ukraine does not coincide with Easter in the countries with other Christian churches.

It is on a Sunday between the 4th of April and 8th of May. In Ukraine Easter has been celebrated over a long period of history and has had many rich traditions.

The week before Easter, the Great Week, is called White or Pure Week. During this time effort is made to finish all field work before Thursday. On the evening of pure Thursday the passion service is performed, after which people return home with lighted candles. 

The last Sunday before Easter is called Willow Sunday. On this day pussy-willow branches are blessed in the church. Easter begins with the matins and high mass, during which the pasky (traditional Easter breads), pysanky and krashanky (decorated or coloured Easter eggs) are blessed in the Church. Butter, lard, cheese, roast suckling pigs, sausage, smoked meat and little napkins, containing poppy seeds, horse-radish and other provisions are also blessed. After the matins the people exchange Easter greetings, give each other krashanky and then hurry home with their baskets of blessed food. Easter is a feast of joy and gladness. For three days people celebrate it. Nowadays Easter has been proclaimed a national holiday in Ukraine.
 




The Easter basket should certain:
    

       Food
       Description
    

   

       Paska
       Place a canle into the center of the paska and light it when the priest begins the blessing ceremony
    

    

       Pysanky
       Easter eggs, new ones every year
    

    

       dyed eggs - variety of colors, but there must be red one
    

    

       Salt
       a small amount
    

    

       Butter
       should be nicely shaped and decorated with whole cloves and placed on a small dish or on top of the cheese
    

    

      Cheese
      sweet cheese: mix farmer cheese with confectionery sugar, raisins, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Place on a 
              dish and on top you can place the butter
    

    

       Horssradish
       a piece of the root or prepared horseradish with beets
    

    

       Kovbasa
      sausage - a small ring
    

     
















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