On December 24, Ukrainians who celebrate Christmas according to the New Julian calendar celebrate Christmas Eve, a special day before the great Christian holiday. This date symbolizes the end of the Christmas fast and the expectation of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas Eve is a time of prayer, spiritual purification, and family unity.
We will tell you where and at what time the "Christmas star" will appear and what the traditions of the holiday are.
When the first star rises
In every corner of Ukraine, the star will rise at a different time. For example, in Kyiv the first star will appear in the sky at 15:57, and, for example, in Odessa at 16:14 , a little later than in Mykolaiv at 16:07 and Kherson at 16:06. In Poltava at 15:45 , in Kropyvnytskyi at 15:59 and in Zaporizhia at 15:51. In the east of the country its brilliance will be visible earlier than anyone else: in Luhansk at 15:31, in Kharkiv at 15:37 , in Donetsk at 15:39, and in Sumy at 15:38 . In the west, in Uzhhorod, the star will shine the latest at 16:39 , and in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi at 16:26.
Holy Evening is one of the most revered holidays in Ukraine, preceding Christmas. Its celebration is associated with deep symbolism and rich cultural tradition.
Christmas Eve traditions
In 2024, given the changes in the celebration calendar, many Ukrainians will celebrate Holy Evening on December 24. Today, Holy Evening is increasingly becoming not only a religious, but also a traditionally family holiday.
The key customs of Holy Week remain unchanged:
- Twelve Lenten dishes. Each region retains its own characteristics, but kutya remains unchanged - a symbol of abundance and unity.
- Lighting a candle. The fire symbolizes the light of the Star of Bethlehem and invites Christ to enter the home.
- Straw or hay decor. Straw spread on a table or under a tablecloth.
The new calendar changed church holidays
We would like to remind you that from September 1, 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) switched to the new Julian church calendar, so the dates of some holidays have shifted. Ukrainians can celebrate Christmas in both December and January.
Based on this, in Ukraine there are indeed “two Christmases”. More precisely, two dates on which the birth of Jesus Christ from the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem can be celebrated. At the same time, an Orthodox person cannot celebrate Christmas on December 25 and January 7 – twice.
