What is Ukrainian Christmas?
In Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on January 7. Christmas Eve "Sviaty Vechir" is on January 6 – the tradition is to have at least 12 different foods on the table. It includes the "Kutia" which is the ritual food from cooked wheat and special syrup that contains honey, grated poppy seeds, raisins, and walnuts.
They set up little manger scenes is known as a "Vertep" in public places. The "Novorichna Jalynka" is the Christmas tree that they have in their houses and they decorate the table with "Didukh" (oats or wheat in a special shape) which symbolizes prosperity.
St. Nicolas is their version of Santa Claus and in some regions of Ukraine there are even Christmas eggs "Pysanky" which are similar to Easter Eggs.
