Ukrainian winter holidays are full of colorful rituals that convey the spirit of the people and their centuries-old culture. An important place among them is occupied by ritual songs - carols, schedrivkas, and posivalki, which are performed during the celebration of Christmas and New Year.
We remind you that in September 2023, the OCU switched to a new church calendar. Since then, the dates for carol singing, giving, and sowing have changed. We will tell you when you should wish your neighbors happy holidays in the new style.
When is Christmas caroling in Ukraine in 2024 according to the new calendar?
The traditional date for carol singing in Ukraine is Christmas 2024, which is celebrated on December 25. That is why many beautiful carols celebrate the birth of Jesus. You can sing carols not only on the holiday itself, but also on Christmas Eve, December 24.
Carols can be sung at any age. In these songs, it is customary to admire the life of the hosts, wish them prosperity and good health. And as a reward, the carolers receive a coin or a gift. As a rule, the better the song is performed, the more generous the hosts will be.
When they are generous in Ukraine in a new style
In Ukraine, there is a clearly defined date when children should be given generously – it is New Year's Eve, December 31. Believers celebrate the Generous Evening or the Malanka holiday on this day.
Shchedrivka, like carols, praise the economy and contain wishes for prosperity in the new year. Of course, it is not complete without a request to give the givers something tasty. In Ukraine, these songs are traditionally performed in festive costumes of Vasyl, Koza and Melanka and other characters. The performance of shchedrivka turns into a real theatrical performance.
When is sowing in Ukraine in 2024?
Ukrainians have been sowing for a long time on the Old New Year or the church holiday of St. Basil, which falls on January 1 .
Traditionally, only boys and men sow in Ukraine. The sowers are dedicated to the coming of the new year and the wish for prosperity in the home. To make the words more convincing, during the song, the threshold of the homeowners is sprinkled with grain - for a good harvest in the summer.
When they go to sing carols, give generously, and sow according to the old calendar
If you still adhere to the old church style, then the dates of winter entertainment will be as follows:
- carol singing – January 6 and 7;
- to be generous – January 13;
- sow – January 14.
Previously, we published a complete Orthodox calendar for 2025, which listed the most important church holidays of the coming year.
