Ukrainian Christmas - Khrystos Rodyvsia!

Ukrainian Christmas Eve Holy Supper or Sviata Vechera,  is a solemn occasion - and first and foremost a celebration of the family.

It combines agrarian and Christian symbols: twelve dishes are served to represent the twelve disciples and the cycles of the moon. The twelve dishes also represent the most valuable products of the field, garden, and orchard. There is no meat or milk served as a sign of respect for the farm animals that are depended upon all year long.

The special first course is called kutia, also known as God’s Food. This dish consists of boiled wheat kernels sweetened with honey and flavoured with poppy seeds and nuts. All family members are required to eat the kutia, which symbolizes prosperity in the coming year.

The second course is borshch, a beet soup. Honouring tradition, the soup for this meal is made without meat or meat stock.

Ukrainian Christmas bread is called kolach - braided into a ring, the loaf sits in the middle of the table with a candle in it.  Often, three loaves are placed one on top of the other.

The main meal consists of various fish and vegetable dishes, including white beans mashed with onions and garlic, sauerkraut and onions (kapusta), cabbage rolls (holubtsi) salads, marinated beets and mushrooms and pickles. Of course, no special Ukrainian meal would be complete without varenyky - doughy dumplings filled with potato and onion, sauerkraut, or various fruits.    

Khrusty

Prior to dessert, a compote of dried fruits is served. This dish is cooked with honey and may include prunes, apricots, apples, pears and figs. 
Dessert is usually an assortment of small, deep-fried pastries known as pampushky, containing various fillings such as poppy seeds or dried fruit. Khrusty are also a favourite -  deep fried dough, rich with egg yolk and dusted with icing sugar.

This very large, sacred meal takes place over many hours. There is always a place set for the ancestors who have passed away.  Since the dinner is a link to centuries of tradition, after the meal, people typically remain seated at the table. In many homes, the celebration goes long into the night, complete with storytelling and the singing of Christmas carols.

Ukrainian Christmas with Paul's family was always a festive and large gathering of extended family.  Anyone who attended one of these affairs will never forget it. 
For the past 5 years I have celebrated Ukrainian Christmas in the greater community and this year is no exception.  I'll be hosting a fundraiser for orphans in Ukraine.  We serve all the traditional dishes and have carolers come and sing the evening prayer of God Eternal and the traditional Ukrainian Carol of the Bells.  Our host for the evening (hospodar) walks us through all the customs - from the first bite of kutia to remembering the ancestors.
I've got 110 perogies ready to go and last night made enough khrusty for 150 people - with the able (and entertaining) assistance of Kim and Krista.  
It feels good to share the traditions and do something good for the children.

Krystos Rodyvsia.