Christmas in Ukraine

Important element of decoration was didukh. One of the basic symbols of Christmas.

Natalia explained that “Our traditional didukh is just a sheaf of rye or wheat. There could be some herbs additionally. Some herbs could be added as well.

It was very important that this sheaf related with/pass through touched throughout the main points of the calendar year. So it was either the latest reaped sheaf or first harvested sheaf. It contained inside itself the idea of harvest. It symbolized the idea of harvest.” It was set up in the most prominent place – in the sacred place called “pokuttia” (the corner in the house located diagonally of the oven) penance(?) near the table where icons are set up.

Each year a new didukh should be created from the new harvest, because the previous one lost his power.

After Epiphany, grains from didukh were added to other grains which were used for the first sowing. The straw from didukh were used for livestock feeding or were burnting.

Epiphany – the history of the holiday, traditions and beliefs.

At the Epiphany it is a tradition to swim in the icy water of a natural reservoir.

Every year on January 19 a great church holiday dedicated to the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated. On this day, people celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. The Feast of Epiphany is known for an interesting tradition, the main of which is swimming in the river or lake filled in with holy water.

History of the Epiphany

Jesus Christ performed the rite of baptism, that is, the cleansing of all sins, at the age of 30 in the Jordan River. The Son of God was sinless, but he was baptized, like any mortal, to show that he was not superior to others. The baptism of Jesus was performed by John the Predtecha, who is called John the Revelator. According to the Bible, during the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit had descended from heaven in the form of a dove and the voice of God had been heard, so the holiday is also called the Epiphany. 

Epiphany has been celebrated since The Kyiv Rus times, but traditional Epiphany baths spread(became popular) only in the 20th century. The tradition of bathing at the Epiphany exists only in Ukraine and several other Orthodox countries.

Traditions and beliefs of the holiday

On the Epiphany water is given healing and miraculous qualities. People bring water to the church to consecrate it. It is believed that such water doesn’t go bad, can treat people and keeps its quality throughout the year. 

Another well-known holiday tradition is swimming in ponds. In order to do so, an ice-hole is prepared on the river or lake, which is consecrated by the priest. In any weather, people dive in water for a few seconds. It is believed that this ceremony cleanses the soul and provides health.

How to swim at the Epiphany

Bathing at the Epiphany will be useful only if you follow the safety rules. Diving in the water is strictly prohibited for pregnant women, the elderly, children under 6 and people with chronic diseases. Baptismal baths are especially dangerous for people with heart and lung diseases. Only a doctor can give a bathing recommendation.

You should dive into the water in officially equipped places under the supervision of medics and rescuers. It is forbidden to drink alcohol on the day of bathing. Before bathing you need to warm up and say a prayer. You need to go to the water gradually. Spend no more than 10 seconds in the water. Diving into the water completely and too fast is extremely dangerous – it could lead to cardiac arrest. After getting out of the water, wipe yourself with a towel and put on warm dry clothes, and then drink some tea.

In the night from 13th to 14th of January Ukrainians are celebrating an Old New Year. This holiday has appeared due to discrepancy between Julian and Gregorian calendars which equals to 13 days.

An Old New Year is preceded by a so-called Generous evening on 13th of January and on 14th of January – The St. Vasyl’s day.

Generous evening or Vasyl’s, as it’s second name, coincides with Ukrainian folk holiday – Malanka.

The history of Malanka

It’s an ancient holiday. According to the Christian calendar it’s also a day of reverend Melania’s (Melanka’s, Malanka’s, Milanka’s). According to the legend Milanka Voda comes on Generous evening together with Vasyl-Misyats in order to notify hosts about upcoming celebrations.

According to the ancient legends, besides the son who was a true friend of the God Misyats(Moon), saint Lada(mother of gods in Slavic mythology), had a daughter, called Milanka.

When prince Misyats was hunting, a vicious snake stole Milanka from the silver house and put her to the underground kingdom. She was rescued by the hero Bezpalchyk-Vasylchyk who married her. That’s why Vasyl is also celebrated on the same day as Generous evening.

How Malanka is celebrated

On Malanka holiday it’s customary to dress like animals or folcloric characters. On Malanka holiday girls in masks and without them are singing songs and foretelling.

According to an old tradition, when girls have been starting foretelling, the boys were stealing doors or wickets from their homes. In order to return the stolen, girl’s fathers had to bring magarych (food and alcohol).

On the Old New year boys were also “leading Melanka”. Single boy puts on a woman’s dress and becomes “Melanka” and a girl or a woman – man’s dress and becomes “Vasyl”. Among other actors are an old man, old woman, gypsy, goat and devil. Carolers in their costumes and masks come from one house to another and entertain people on the streets with dances and jokes.

In ancient times, people in disguise were coming to the crossroad and were burning Did or Diduh (a sheaf of straw, which was kept in the house from Holy evening to New year) and then they were jumping through the bonfire. It had to clean them after communication with evil.

What to cook on Malanka

The main dish of the evening is Kutya. On Vasyl kutya was made generous and fatty, that’s why the evening is called Generous. It’s believed that a generous and rich table will guarantee welfare to the owner for the whole year.

In some villages people cook a traditional holiday dish – blood sausage which is called Malanka. Also special types of bread are baked – Malanka and Vasyl.

The holiday table must include pies, vareniki, meals from pork, pancakes and sausages. As on new year’s night, the whole family sits down at the table. It’s forbidden to argue on this day.