Customs and Traditions on Christmas Eve

(Patria) - Orthodox believers, whose church observes the old Julian calendar, celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, on January 7. It is preceded by the Christmas fast, which lasts from November 28 to January 6. The main goals of the fast are: glorifying God and His saints, and cleansing the soul and body from carnal and spiritual passions. The fast includes prayers and acts of charity, refraining from bad thoughts, desires, and deeds, as well as abstaining from meat products.

Christmas marks a moment of change in nature, the end of a year-long cycle, and the beginning of a new vegetation period. The last day before Christmas, and also the last day of the Christmas fast, is Christmas Eve.

On that day, and in some regions the day before, people go to the forest and bring a branch of a young Turkey oak or oak tree, to which they first say: "Good day to you, Yule log" and sprinkle it with wheat. On Christmas Eve, according to Orthodox custom, all debts and borrowed items are returned.

The Yule log is brought into the house on Christmas Eve. One part was used to start a fire, and when it burned down, it was taken to the stables and barns, while another part was kept for the 'polozhnik' (first guest), who would light it on Christmas Day itself. This custom is still observed in some places today, and in urban areas, the Yule log or branch is bought at the market and brought into the house even a day or two earlier. Many decorate it with fresh or dried fruit and candies, and place gifts for loved ones underneath it.

The church has given the lighting of the Yule log a ritualistic meaning – warming around the Yule log symbolizes the warmth of love among the present household members, as everyone celebrates this holiday in their home.

Straw (symbolizing the straw on which Jesus Christ was born, and by bringing it into the home, God's blessing is brought in) is an integral part of the Christmas Eve celebration. According to old customs, it was brought into the house along with the Yule log and spread on the floor under the table, where it remained throughout Christmas. In many regions, Christmas Eve dinner was also eaten on the straw. Today, in urban areas, the straw is symbolically tied to the Yule log with a red thread.

A Lenten meal is prepared for Christmas Eve: dried peppers stuffed with vegetables, only rice or beans, Lenten cabbage rolls with soy and onion, Lenten beans, cabbage pie in some regions, sometimes potato pie or walnut pie, fish, potato salad, bean and onion salad, along with nuts and dried fruit, baked pumpkin, compote, Lenten strudels, and small pastries.