sviata vecheria

Sviata Vecheria, or “Holy Supper”, is the central tradition of the beautiful Christmas Eve celebrations in the Ukrainians homes. The dinner table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem. Many Canadian and American families weare their Ukrainian embroidered shirts on this occasion. When the children see the first star in the eastern evening sky, which symbolizes the trek of the Three Wise Men, Sviata Vecheria begins.

 In farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat called “the didukh” which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries. Didukh means literally “grandfather spirit””, so it symbolizes the family’s ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table. During the Holy Supper people lay the table with 12 dishes that symbolize apostles – the chosen twelve first sent out to preach for the Christian Gospel. A prayer is said, and the father says the traditional Christmas greeting “Khristos rodyvsya! (Christ is born!), which is answered by the family with “ Slavimo Yoho!” (Let Us Glory Him!)

  At the end of the Sviata Vecheria the family often sings koliadky, Ukrainian Christmas carols. In many communities the old Ukrainian tradition of caroling is carried on by groups of young people and members of organizations and churching calling at homes and collecting donations

1. The first star in the eastern sky is symbolized...

Sviata Vecheria, or “Holy Supper”, is the central tradition of the beautiful Christmas Eve celebrations in the Ukrainians homes. The dinner table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem. Many Canadian and American families weare their Ukrainian embroidered shirts on this occasion. When the children see the first star in the eastern evening sky, which symbolizes the trek of the Three Wise Men, Sviata Vecheria begins.

 In farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat called “the didukh” which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries. Didukh means literally “grandfather spirit””, so it symbolizes the family’s ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table. During the Holy Supper people lay the table with 12 dishes that symbolize apostles – the chosen twelve first sent out to preach for the Christian Gospel. A prayer is said, and the father says the traditional Christmas greeting “Khristos rodyvsya! (Christ is born!), which is answered by the family with “ Slavimo Yoho!” (Let Us Glory Him!)

  At the end of the Sviata Vecheria the family often sings koliadky, Ukrainian Christmas carols. In many communities the old Ukrainian tradition of caroling is carried on by groups of young people and members of organizations and churching calling at homes and collecting donations

2. At Christmas city citizens decorate the table with ....

Sviata Vecheria, or “Holy Supper”, is the central tradition of the beautiful Christmas Eve celebrations in the Ukrainians homes. The dinner table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem. Many Canadian and American families weare their Ukrainian embroidered shirts on this occasion. When the children see the first star in the eastern evening sky, which symbolizes the trek of the Three Wise Men, Sviata Vecheria begins.

 In farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat called “the didukh” which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries. Didukh means literally “grandfather spirit””, so it symbolizes the family’s ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table. During the Holy Supper people lay the table with 12 dishes that symbolize apostles – the chosen twelve first sent out to preach for the Christian Gospel. A prayer is said, and the father says the traditional Christmas greeting “Khristos rodyvsya! (Christ is born!), which is answered by the family with “ Slavimo Yoho!” (Let Us Glory Him!)

  At the end of the Sviata Vecheria the family often sings koliadky, Ukrainian Christmas carols. In many communities the old Ukrainian tradition of caroling is carried on by groups of young people and members of organizations and churching calling at homes and collecting donations

3. Why is the Didukh an important symbol of Christmas in Ukraine?

Sviata Vecheria, or “Holy Supper”, is the central tradition of the beautiful Christmas Eve celebrations in the Ukrainians homes. The dinner table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem. Many Canadian and American families weare their Ukrainian embroidered shirts on this occasion. When the children see the first star in the eastern evening sky, which symbolizes the trek of the Three Wise Men, Sviata Vecheria begins.

 In farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat called “the didukh” which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries. Didukh means literally “grandfather spirit””, so it symbolizes the family’s ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table. During the Holy Supper people lay the table with 12 dishes that symbolize apostles – the chosen twelve first sent out to preach for the Christian Gospel. A prayer is said, and the father says the traditional Christmas greeting “Khristos rodyvsya! (Christ is born!), which is answered by the family with “ Slavimo Yoho!” (Let Us Glory Him!)

  At the end of the Sviata Vecheria the family often sings koliadky, Ukrainian Christmas carols. In many communities the old Ukrainian tradition of caroling is carried on by groups of young people and members of organizations and churching calling at homes and collecting donations

4. What do twelve dishes set on on the table symbolize?

Sviata Vecheria, or “Holy Supper”, is the central tradition of the beautiful Christmas Eve celebrations in the Ukrainians homes. The dinner table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem. Many Canadian and American families weare their Ukrainian embroidered shirts on this occasion. When the children see the first star in the eastern evening sky, which symbolizes the trek of the Three Wise Men, Sviata Vecheria begins.

 In farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat called “the didukh” which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries. Didukh means literally “grandfather spirit””, so it symbolizes the family’s ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table. During the Holy Supper people lay the table with 12 dishes that symbolize apostles – the chosen twelve first sent out to preach for the Christian Gospel. A prayer is said, and the father says the traditional Christmas greeting “Khristos rodyvsya! (Christ is born!), which is answered by the family with “ Slavimo Yoho!” (Let Us Glory Him!)

  At the end of the Sviata Vecheria the family often sings koliadky, Ukrainian Christmas carols. In many communities the old Ukrainian tradition of caroling is carried on by groups of young people and members of organizations and churching calling at homes and collecting donations

5. What are koliadky?