2. The Feast of St. Andrew
Ukrainian people believe in miracles, and that’s
probably why the New Year’s cycle begins with the
mysterious, even mystical St. Andrew. According
to traditional beliefs it is on St. Andrew’s Eve that
young girls can get a glimpse of their destiny. On
this night they talk to each other about their
dreams as they try to discover the name of their
future spouse, the date of their wedding, the
number of children they will have. Many different
kinds of celebratory props are used: drinks, foods,
fire, mirrors and so on. Even today, the most
modern young Ukrainian woman will make a wish
before she goes to sleep or get together with her
girlfriends to tell one another about their dreams.
3. The Feast of St. Nicholas
We celebrate this holiday on December 19 .
St. Nicholas, known as Mykolai in Ukraine and Santa
Claus in many other countries, is considered the patron
saint of children. On this day parents and relatives try
to surprise their kids by placing small gifts, toys, or
books into symbolic shoes or stockings or even under
their pillows. Every child who behaved good during
the year will receive a present from St. Nicolas on this
day and those children who behaved badly will receive
a rod .Nowadays it has become traditional to present
gifts to every child.
4. Like most countries, Ukraine greets the New Year in
hopes for a good year to come. It is a time when many
Ukrainians decorate their New Year tree and buy
presents to give to one another. Children in the Ukraine
receive gifts from Did Moroz, which is a similar
character to the modern day Santa Claus. Many people
prepare dinners and arrange parties to celebrate the
New Year. Traditionally, prior to midnight between
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, a presidential
speech is broadcast nationally. New Year’s Eve is a
special evening of fireworks, the scent of pine needles,
bubbling champagne, and hopes for a prosperous future.
New Year's Day in Ukraine
5. ChristmasIn Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on January 7. The
evening before is known as Sviatvechir, or Holy Eve. On
the Holy Evening all the family get together to have the
Christmas Supper. According to the religious tradition, it is
necessary to prepare 12 different meatless dishes because of
12 apostles; no one at the table can eat till the first star
appears in the sky. But, unlike in the English-speaking
countries, in Ukraine people do not exchange presents on
that day. On the Christmas Evening the religious people go
to church; some of them spend the whole night there —
they pray and listen to Christmas religious songs which
glorify Christ’s birthday.
6. The Old New Year
For many people, the Old New Year is a simple family
holiday that brings to an end the cycle of New Year’s
celebrations. January 13 is traditionally called Shchedriy
Vechir or Bountiful Eve. On this day young people go
around in groups singing “shchedrivky,” which are the
New Year’s equivalent of carols. As they go around to
their neighbors and friends, they also wish them happiness
and success in the New Year. Families that remember
their traditions can turn the “shchedrivky” into a
mummer’s play called “vertep,” with many different
characters. The Vertep is a distinctive phenomenon in the
development of theater in Ukraine. By tradition, it is a
live performance by people who act out the Birth of Christ
and other religious stories accompanied by a singing choir.
Another very popular tradition on Shchedriy Vechir is
fortune-telling. Many people like to know what the
upcoming year has bring for them. This evening includes
loud, gregarious festive fortune-telling in anticipation of
a successful year.
7. Orthodox Easter Day
The date of Easter is usually determined by the Church
calendar and calculated according to the so-called
"Paskhalias" (the name for the "special tables".) Before
and during Easter Ukrainians buy or bake Easter
cakes(Paskha ,buisquits with raisins),and hand paint
eggs widely known as Pysanka. It is a very important
holiday. On Easter night people go to their local church,
spending the entire night in Church services! Usually
they take with them Easter cakes, painted eggs, and
bottles of wine. In the morning (about 5 am) the service
concludes with the clergyman sprinkling all food with
sacred water which is believed to give strong healing
powers. At this time people return home to continue the
celebration with food and drink throughout the day.
The traditional greeting on this day is: "Khrystos
Voskres!" (Christ is arisen) and the answer "Voyistynu
Voskres!" (Truly arisen) followed with kisses and the
exchanging of small gifts( usualy it can be hand paint
eggs( Pysanki)) .
8. To the Christian
Ascension Day (the 40th
day after Easter) Ukrainians
added a pre-Christian
tradition of going to the field
to inspect the progress of the
wheat.
The Trinity is celebrated in summer,
on the 50th day after Easter.
Traditionally people decorate their
homes with green tree branches and
fragrant herbs
9. Another summer holiday is Ivan
Kupala`s Day on July 7. During
the day everyone has to be at least
immersed in water. This was the last
holiday before the harvest. The name
comes from the pagan god Kupala. This
festival is famous because of the special
rites and rituals, which are observed
during the celebration. Many
Ukrainians celebrate Kupala Night
with bonfires that last throughout the
night. Some people leap over the flames
as it is believed that the act of jumping
over the bonfire cleanses people of
illness and bad luck. Some groups of
people sing songs about love, romance
and marriage on Kupala Night. It is
also customary for some women to
wear traditional clothes with
embroidery and a wreath of flowers on
their head to celebrate the summer
night.
10. August 2, St. Illia`s Day,
market the beginning of
autumn. “Until dinner it`s
summer, after dinner it`s
autumn”, people said. On the
19th of August, or on
“Saviour Day”, vegetables,
fruits, mushrooms and honey
were blessed.
