The night before Christmas: we celebrate the holiday according to all the rules. Fortune telling on Christmas Eve on the night before Christmas What to do on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, rich kutya, or carol on January 6, 2019 is a holiday dedicated to the meeting of the bright day of Christmas. Like any other holiday, it has its own traditions and prohibitions. UNIAN will tell you about them.

Kutya on Holy Evening, didukh and carols: the main traditions of celebrating Christmas

History and traditions of the holiday

For believers, Christmas Eve is of great importance, because it is believed that it was on this night that Christ was born.

The celebration of Christmas Eve begins when the first star appears in the sky, which once announced the birth of Jesus Christ. This evening the whole family gathers together at the same table. In addition to kutya and uzvar, lean cabbage rolls, fish, dumplings, pies, donuts, potato pancakes, and borscht are prepared on Christmas Eve. The meal on the eve of Christmas begins with a prayer, and then - kutya. We emphasize that alcohol is prohibited on January 6.

According to Ukrainian tradition, this evening it is customary to visit your parents, as well as godparents. In addition, on Christmas Eve they go caroling.

Every year on January 6, Christmas Eve is celebrated. This day, on the eve of the Nativity of Christ, when the Nativity Fast ends, like Christmas itself, has its own traditions and characteristics. Find out how to properly spend such an important day, what you can’t, and what you can and should do on Christmas Eve on January 6, 2019.

On this day, it is supposed to fast, prepare festive dishes and put clothes in order. You can’t celebrate Christmas in black - it was considered a bad sign to come to the feast in sad clothes. After the first star lights up - which means Jesus Christ came into the world - you can start the holiday.

On Christmas Eve they always started caroling - young people went from house to house, accompanying their arrival with carol songs and begging the owners for food and money. There was an interesting ritual: on this day it was customary to gather in the parental home. In the evening they set the tables, then the whole family went out into the yard and looked at the stars.

Peering into the sky, they determined the guiding one, and already, according to the signs of Christmas night, they determined the future harvest, guessed about well-being and the future. If the night was starry, it was believed that cattle would give a good offspring, and there would be many berries and mushrooms in the forest.

Undoubtedly, the main dishes on the table on this holiday were kutya and sochivo.

Before starting the meal, the owner with a pot in which there was kutya went around the hut three times. Returning, he threw a few spoons of porridge into the yard, thereby appeasing the spirits, then through the open door he invited frost to kutya and asked him not to destroy the crops. Ritual porridges were traditionally eaten from a common bowl, leaving a little for the poor wanderers.

On Christmas Eve it was not worth leaving home, because you would have to look for cattle in the forests and swamps. To weave on this day meant to cater to misfortune.

They baked pancakes, and the first pancake was necessarily carried to the barn, broke it through a sickle and left it to the barn one - so that this spirit would not steal the sheep's six. On this day, poultry was not fed, so that chickens and geese would not dig up the garden. Manure burned in every yard - so that parents would warm up in the next world.

Christmas Eve is the first day of a very long Orthodox holiday complex called "Svyatki". In fact, preparation for all the upcoming holidays. That is why it was important to spend the day right.

Fast. Christmas Eve is the end of one of the longest (40 days) fasts, so it was necessary to endure all this with honor to the end. Moreover, directly on January 6, from the very morning until the end of the festive Liturgy, it was impossible to eat anything at all. That is about three hours. And then it was still impossible to relax - right up to Christmas, quick meals were seriously limited.

Attend church. Especially the pre-holiday Liturgy and Vespers. Yet more effective way they didn’t come up with to set their spirit in the right way. Tellingly, this Liturgy has been in existence almost since the 4th century after the birth of Christ and has hardly changed since that time.

Fortune-telling, as usual, was undesirable, but quite acceptable. Especially those that were held on the night of 6 to 7.

caroling. It was from the evening of Christmas Eve that this business could be dealt with officially. But how - this is the topic of a separate article, since each Orthodox country had its own special traditions in this regard.

But it was possible to follow folk signs. Yet this is not fortune-telling, but the quintessence of folk wisdom, which is extremely rarely wrong. So if the night before Christmas was clear and starry, then the summer will be generous.

Prepare gifts. Nevertheless, the upcoming Christmas is a family holiday, an integral part of which, especially from the point of view of children, are gifts.

A lot of snow, a lot of hoarfrost and deeply frozen ground - to a rich harvest of bread.
If on January 6 the paths are black (the snow loosely covered the ground or melted), there will be a good harvest of buckwheat.
On Christmas Eve, the sun shines brightly - towards the green year.
Snow on the ground, like manure for the harvest.
What frost on the trees that day, such will be the color on the bread.
How many days before Christmas frost will happen, how many days before Midsummer Day (May 21) the weather will be favorable for spring crops.
If frost occurs before Christmas Eve, then bread must be sown before Peter's Day (July 12), and if frost appears after Christmas Eve, then you can sow it after Peter's Day.
Starry sky on Christmas night - to an excellent harvest of peas.
If the stars in the sky shine on the night of January 6-7, there will be many mushrooms and berries.
If there are few stars in the sky, then there will be few berries too.
The Milky Way is dim - to bad weather. If the Milky Way is bright and full of stars - to sunny weather.

According to the church charter, on the days of Christmas Eve - Christmas and Epiphany - Orthodox Christians are instructed to eat cochivo.

Here's how to cook it:

1 cup wheat grains
100 g poppy
100 g walnut opex kernels
1-3 tablespoons of honey
caxap to taste
a handful of dried fruits, if desired.

You can’t eat meat and animal products on January 6, and on some days fish, wine and vegetable oil, because the Christmas fast is still going on. Already on January 7, all bans are lifted.
On the Holy Evening, it is necessary that there are 12 Lenten dishes on the table, according to the number of the apostles. Fewer meals are not recommended.
One of the main prohibitions of Christmas is the fact that none of the dishes should be left untouched.
You can not remove the dishes from the table until the very beginning of Christmas on January 7th.
As with other religious holidays, you cannot work. Women are not allowed to sew, wash, clean, take out the trash from the house. For men, go hunting or fishing. This must be done well in advance of the holiday.
Under no circumstances should you guess at Christmas. There is a special period for this from the 12th day of Christmas time to Epiphany.
On the holy holiday of Christmas, one cannot swear, swear, especially at the table.
It is not customary to have lunch before the first star rises - only children are allowed a small snack.
And one of the main prohibitions is not to forget about mercy and help those who, for whatever reason, are deprived of festive joys.

Many Russians who are not too strong in church rules are wondering when Christmas is actually celebrated and whether January 6 is a holiday. we will talk about how many Orthodox celebrate Christmas and how to celebrate the holiday in accordance with all the rules in our article.

So, let's start with the first - January 6th. The day is considered a holiday only in part. On this day, the Orthodox do not eat anything except sochiv, which they have prepared in advance and drink water. The day is considered the last in the fast, which the Orthodox keep from November 26 in honor of the Christmas holiday, which is celebrated exactly on January 7.

As for the day before, only the evening is considered festive - it is called Christmas Eve, after the name of the main dish of the day. for those who are not in the know, sochivo, in other words kutya, is boiled grains of wheat, rice, lentils or other cereals with the addition of lean sweets (fruit syrup, dried fruits, honey, poppy seeds, nuts, etc.).

Christmas Eve - what to do

As mentioned above, we fast all day on the eve of the holiday. It is possible and necessary to clean, wash and do household chores - you simply must prepare your home for the arrival of a bright holiday.

In the evening, the closest people gather at the table - children and parents, godparents, grandparents. The gala dinner begins after the appearance of the first star in the sky - it was she who informed the Magi about the birth of Christ and led them to the baby, to whom they carried gifts.

On the festive table is a white tablecloth and some hay - Jesus, as we know, was born in a manger surrounded by livestock. White, on the other hand, means purity and renewal, which Christmas brings to every single home. Be sure to light candles in the house or flood the fireplace, stove - the fire symbolizes warmth, home comfort and will undoubtedly bring peace and God's blessing to your family.

12 Lenten dishes are prepared for dinner - everyone is worth trying a little, but it is forbidden to eat up and eat dinner to the end, as your refrigerator will be empty for the next year. It is worth putting on new and bright things - black is not welcome, as it is a mourning attire.

On this evening, it is customary to generously welcome guests, even if a complete stranger has come to the house - they say that even in the form of a beggar, the Lord himself can welcome into the house. By the way, helping the poor and the sick, giving gifts to lonely people and other charity on Christmas Eve are obligatory, since the holiday is considered the most important on which all Christian virtues can be shown.

And the whole next, Christmas, day on January 7, it is customary to go on a visit and invite guests to your place. You can not be stingy and greedy on this day.

What absolutely can not be done on January 6

- It is strictly forbidden on Christmas Eve to start a conflict, quarrel over trifles and use foul language, especially at the festive table or at a party,

- during dinner, it is generally forbidden to talk a lot and loudly, as well as leave the table and, especially, from the house - so as not to let evil spirits into the house,

- dishes should not be washed down with water, but only with an uzvar,

- unmarried guys and unmarried girls should not sit on the corner of the table - otherwise they will be left without a couple. It is believed that unmarried girls are forbidden to guess on this day. The time for this will come a little later - from the 12th day of Christmas until the very Epiphany. However, it is worth noting that among the people this particular day is most popular for divination for a betrothed.

Other prohibitions include:

- you can’t wear old and torn clothes - it’s better to meet guests with an original new thing. In addition, it is believed that it is impossible to celebrate Christmas in black,

- according to tradition, this evening they do not plan a long journey and travel, because on Christmas all family members should be at home.

On this day before Christmas, the eve or eve of the holiday, Orthodox Christians prepare for the great day.

Christmas Eve ends the 40-day Christmas (Filippov) fast. On this day, the main preparations for Christmas are made.

Other names of the holiday: Holy Evening, Sochevnik, Eve of the Nativity of Christ, Kolyada, Christmas Eve.

The eve of the holiday is colloquially called Christmas Eve, or Sochevnik. This name comes from a special dish made from wheat, nuts and honey - sochiva.

The tradition of eating this dish on the eve of Christmas was born in memory of Daniel and the three youths, who, according to the Gospel, "ate from the seeds of the earth, so as not to be defiled by a pagan meal."

History of Christmas Eve

In the Orthodox Church, the celebration of the eve of the Nativity of Christ was established in the 4th century. In the V-VIII centuries, sacred hymns were written, which are used for Christmas services. At that time, the Royal Hours were performed in the temples. It was customary to proclaim many years to the tsar, his house, and all Orthodox Christians.

The name of the holiday comes from the word "sochivo", or "juicy". Both of these dishes were prepared on Christmas Eve. Sochivo was soaked grains of wheat or barley, to which the juice of poppy seeds, sunflower, hemp, mustard, and nuts was added. Sochni - bread cakes in which holes were made for the eyes and used for divination. Through the mask looked at the street. It was believed that if a good person passes, then the year will be successful, and if a bad one, vice versa.

What is the Christmas Eve before Christmas?

Where did the name of this holiday come from? It turns out that from the word "sochivo" - this is a dish that was prepared specially on this day to treat all households. To do this, the hostess soaked scalded cereal grains (wheat, barley, lentils, rice) in seed juice (poppy, almond or nut). The dish turned out lean. Oil was not put into it. Only the addition of a spoonful of honey was allowed to make the meal more nutritious. Sometimes it was replaced with kutya.

People used Sochivo on this day in imitation of the biblical prophet Daniel.

This parable refers to the Old Testament times. The pagan Julian the Apostate, wanting to show off the believing fasting people, ordered all the food in the market to be sprinkled with the blood of animals sacrificed to idols. Then the prophet Daniel ordered his youth-novices to eat soaked grains and dried fruits. So the believers were able to avoid taking a defiled pagan meal.

Traditions and rituals for Christmas Eve

The main traditions on January 6: 12 Lenten dishes are prepared, the main of which is kutya; go to visit with treats; guess; use a charm ("didukh").

On Christmas Eve, Orthodox Christians attend church services: an all-night vigil and liturgy.

From the very morning, the housewives carry out a thorough cleaning, throw away the rubbish, after which they start preparing a festive dinner. Traditionally, 12 Lenten dishes are served at the table.

In some houses, it is customary to pay special attention to the decoration of the Christmas table. The hostesses cover it with a new tablecloth, under which they put a bundle of hay - a symbol of a manger. Banknotes and garlic cloves are placed at the corners of the table, which symbolize the health and well-being of family members. An ax is placed under the table, on which those seated put their feet in order to have good health and spirit. Arrangements of candles and spruce branches are placed in the center.

The meal begins with a prayer in which they glorify Christ, ask for well-being and happiness for all those present. First of all, they taste kutya, after which they proceed to the rest of the dishes.

On Christmas Eve in the villages, young people gather in large groups, paint their faces, put on fancy costumes, go from house to house and sing carols. An important attribute of such an action is the Star of Bethlehem, which is made of colored paper and ribbons, and an icon is placed in the center. In ritual songs, it is customary to glorify Jesus Christ, the family of the owner of the house. Caroling guests are presented with sweets, pastries and money.

On Christmas Eve, you should ask for forgiveness from the people you offended, forgive all your enemies.

Signs and sayings for Christmas Eve

If on Christmas Eve the sky is abundantly strewn with stars, then this year a rich harvest should be expected.

On the eve of the Nativity of Christ, it is customary to light candles in the house or kindle a fireplace in order to attract prosperity and good luck to the house.

You can’t wear old dark-colored clothes for a festive dinner, otherwise the year will pass in tears and difficulties.

An even number of people should be present at the ceremonial table. If it is odd, then the housewives put one extra set of appliances.

On Christmas Eve, you need to go outside and look at the sky. If you see a shooting star and make a wish, it will surely come true.

If a snowstorm broke out before Christmas Eve, the bees will swarm well.

On a holiday, a wax candle was placed on a table with a white tablecloth and lit with the words: “Burn, candle, righteous sun, shine on the souls in paradise and on us, the living, warm the mother earth, our cattle, our fields.” If the light burns cheerfully, then the year will be prosperous and fruitful, if it blinks and trembles, you will have to tighten your belts.

On a holiday, frost on trees - to good bread.

What to eat on Christmas Eve

January 6 is the strictest day of the 40-day Advent fast. Believers are only allowed to drink water. A meal can be taken after the first star rises in the sky, after which it is allowed to eat sochivo - wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins. In folk tradition, it is customary to serve other fasting dishes for dinner.

What Not to Do on Christmas Eve

It is forbidden to work on Christmas Eve evening.

On this holiday, you can not quarrel and sort things out.

It is not allowed to eat before the appearance of the first star in the sky.

On this day, you can not be greedy.

Festive dinner

According to folk custom, the housewives put 12 Lenten dishes on the table, which personify the 12 apostles. The main dish is kutya (sochivo). It is boiled from whole grains of rice or wheat, with the addition of poppy seeds, honey, walnuts, dried apricots, prunes, raisins. Also on the table are baked fish, vegetable salads and stews, mushroom soup, lean borscht, donuts, pies, dumplings, stuffed cabbage with mushrooms, pickles. For dessert, they eat rolls with poppy seeds and nuts, honey cakes, gingerbread, berry and fruit kissels, apples baked with honey and nuts.

The traditional Christmas drink is dried fruits and honey. The combination of kutya and uzvar on the tables is a symbol of eternal life, the birth and death of Jesus. On Christmas Eve, no alcohol is consumed at dinner.

How to make juicy?

Our great-grandmothers knew what to cook for Christmas Eve. These ancient recipes for preparing Christmas dishes are not forgotten. And today, any housewife, if desired, will be able to cook juicy.

Here is the recipe for this dish:

1 faceted glass of wheat grains.

100 g poppy.

100 g of walnut kernels.

1 or 2 tablespoons of liquid honey.

a little sugar.

Put the grains of wheat in a wooden mortar and grind with a pestle until the shell of the grains comes off. In this case, you need to add a little warm boiled water to the mass. Then the husk is removed by washing the grains. Wheat is poured with water, put on fire and boiled until tender. It turns out crumbly porridge. In a wooden mortar, poppy seeds are ground in the same way until poppy milk appears. Add it to the porridge, put honey, sugar there and mix thoroughly. At the end, crushed walnut kernels are put into the mass. Sochivo is ready.

Festive worship in the church

On the eve of the Nativity and Theophany, a service is performed, consisting of the Great (Royal) Hours with the reading of the Gospel, a short follow-up of the "Illustrative", during which the clergy on the pulpit read entrance prayers and put on vestments, and great vespers with the reading of proverbs in conjunction with the Liturgy of Basil the Great, On Epiphany Christmas Eve, at the end of the Liturgy, after the prayer beyond the ambo, the Great Blessing of the Water is performed.

If Christmas Eve (both Christmas Eve and Epiphany) falls on Saturday or Sunday, then the service of the Royal Hours with Fine and Great Vespers is transferred to Friday, and in this case the liturgy is not added to them (that is, on Friday the liturgy is not performed in principle), on Christmas Eve itself, in this case, the liturgy of John Chrysostom is served (water blessing on Epiphany Christmas Eve is still performed), and on the holiday itself (Christmas or Epiphany), in this case, the liturgy of Basil the Great is performed

According to the site "Yaropolch"

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