On January 6, Orthodox and Greek Catholics celebrate Christmas Eve, which in our country is also called Holy Evening.. This is the holiday that ends the Advent and precedes the bright holiday of the Nativity of Christ..
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What is customary to do on Christmas Eve.
It was customary to prepare for the holiday in advance. In the morning, the housewives cleaned the house and prepared festive dishes.. Housework had to be completed before the first star appeared in the sky, after its appearance it was possible to sit down at the festive table.
Traditionally, 12 Lenten dishes are served on the table.. The holiday is already beginning, so it is necessary to set the table, but the Advent is still going on, so the dishes should not contain animal products.
Drinks on the festive table should be non-alcoholic. Kutia and dumplings are considered obligatory dishes..
The holiday is usually celebrated in the family circle.. The father usually sat first at the table, followed by the rest of the family..
The owner of the house, according to tradition, before the start of the meal, threw a spoonful of kutya to the ceiling. It was believed that if a few grains stuck, there would be a bountiful harvest..
The table setting also assumed the presence of empty plates - they were placed for relatives who cannot be on Christmas Eve with their families and for those who died.
Didukh was placed in the corner under the icons - a symbol of wealth and prosperity in the house. It was prepared from a rye or wheat sheaf.
It is also customary to attend a service in the temple on the holiday.. At the same time, it is worth remembering that Ukraine lives in the conditions of a full-scale invasion of Russia, in connection with which there is a curfew in our country.. You can't be outside at night.
Prayer on Christmas Eve.
“Our Father, King of Heaven, we thank you for your great mercy to all mankind - the birth of little Jesus the Son of God in Bethlehem. This news was brought by an angel as a great joy to people. The birth of Your Only Begotten Son for many years inspires hope, faith and joy in our hearts. On the day of the Nativity of Christ, bless us to glorify Your Son, as the Angels glorified the night when He was born.. Lord, may Your Son keep and protect us. Gives mercy and grace. Will show everyone the way to truth and faith. Forgives sins and grants eternal life in holy heaven. Amen"