Christmas in the Ukraine

Most Christians in the Ukraine belong to the Orthodox Church. The Orthodox recognizes the Julian calendar, so that Christmas is celebrated on January 7.

Christianity was introduced into Ukraine in 988 AD. The culture at the time was agrarian (agritculture) and the pagan religions and the traditions associated with it were deeply entrenched. Therefore, the Church adopted a policy of tolerance toward the ancient customs and accepted many pagan traditions as part of the Christian holidays. Because of this, the ancient pagan Feast of Winter Solstice and Feasts of Fertility became part of Christian Christmas customs. For this reason Ukrainian Christmas customs are quite unique.

Christmas celebrations in the Ukraine begin on December 19, when St. Nicholas comes into town.St. Nicholas Day is a day of great merriment. People invite guests into their homes. St. Nicholas visits each town and home accompanied by angels who assist him. They quiz the children on their catechism and give them presents and sweets.

Ukrainians have a very unique Christmas ornament for their Christmas tree. According to legend, a family was so poor that they could not afford to decorate their tree. The household spiders heard the mother's prayers, and after the family went to bed, the spiders wove intricate webs on the tree as decorations. In the morning the sun's rays turned the spider webs into silver and gold. Christmas trees are decorated with lights and candies and spider webs to remember this miracle.

In Christmas Eve, in most parts of the Ukraine, people create a scene from the Bible of Jesus birth. The show Baby Jesus in a manger, in what is called a cave. Mary and strangers are offering their gifts to the Baby Jesus. The Star of Bethlehem Star is in the sky. These "cave" scenes are exhibited at public places, usually near or inside churches. All night candles are installed inside the "caves" for people who come to church for the night service so they can observe them.