St. Nicholas Day in Ukraine
St. Nicholas
Day is a very special holiday for Ukrainian children and adults. In Ukraine and
other Eastern Christian countries it is celebrated on December 19 (unlike
Western Christian countries, where it is celebrated on December, 6).
National
traditions of St. Nicholas Day celebration in Ukraine
Tradition to
celebrate St. Nicholas Day came to Ukraine with the Christianity during the
rule of the prince Vsevolod Yaroslavovich (years 1088-1089). Saint Nicholas
always considered to be patron saint for children.
In Ukraine St.
Nicholas Day was mainly considered as a church fete, but in some Ukrainian regions
national traditions of celebration were also strong, they were similar to
Christmas celebrations.
At one time
in every house beer was brewed for the holiday and on the day of St. Nicholas
relatives and friends gathered together to enjoy the taste of beer, to rejoice
and to have fun.
In Kharkiv region the holiday was celebrated for three days. On December 17, 18, 19
Ukrainians cooked koliva (kutya) and traditional drink uzvar in order to call
upon heavy crop.
In Kyiv region people
went to church on St. Nicholas Day. After returning home the head of the
household took the bowl filled with holy water and aspersed all of his property
in order to defend it and make it prosper.
St. Nicholas Day for many centuries was one of the main holidays in Western Ukraine. Women baked for this day round cookies
called ‘mykolaychyky’ with different fillings. These cookies are put under the
children pillows as a sweet presents for the holiday and are given to all the
friends and relatives wishing joy and health.
Nowadays
preparations and presents
Shortly
before the holiday Ukrainian children (often with the help of their parents)
write letters to Saint Nicholas in which all their dearest wishes are listed –
material (new toys or other goods) and spiritual (health and happiness for
parents, relatives and friends). The fulfillment of the material wish depends
on the child’s behavior during the year. For those who behaved well St.
Nicholas will definitely prepare the present, and even for those who did not
there will be something pleasant (sweets, for example) if they promise to make
good.
St. Nicholas
Day presents can be different. It is up to parents to decide what gift to put
under the child’s pillow (sweets, a toy, a book etc.). Of course, most of the
parents consider their children wishes when they choose a gift.
At nurseries
and schools children with teachers’ help prepare different sketches, sing songs
and recite poems about Saint Nicholas.
For those
children who don’t have parents different charity organizations prepare St.
Nicholas Day gifts.
Concerts and
celebrations with dancing, singing and performing are hold on the eve of
December 19, and every child gets his present for holiday.
St. Nicholas
Day in Ukraine is a really bright and joyful holiday. Parents and grandparents
tell the children story of St. Nicholas life and teach them to be as kind,
laborious, charitable, honest as Saint Nicholas was.
Ukrainians
believe that in the night of December 19 all their sincere wishes will be heard
and fulfilled.
