Ending 40 days and nights of fasting, Ukrainian Christmas Eve was celebrated at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Jan. 6.
Father Taras Udod gave the blessing for the meal, Sviata Vecheria, at which over 50 parishioners gathered.
Traditionally, people would wait for the first star to appear in the sky before eating, but by the time the supper was served, the night sky was glittering with stars.
After Father Udod proclaimed "Khrystos Razhdaietsia," which means "Christ is born," everyone started on the first course of the 12-course meal. Some believe the Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper has 12 courses in representation of the 12 apostles, while others believe the 12 courses represent the 12 full moons throughout the year.
Kutia, the first course, is boiled wheat mixed with honey and poppy seeds. The second course is borscht, and the remaining courses often include perogies, fish, cabbage rolls and finish with uzvar, stewed fruit.
The meal contains no meat, other than fish, or dairy, forbidden as part of the fasting until Christmas Day, Jan. 7.
At the dinner, a place setting was set in honour of deceased family members. The place setting traditionally includes three rings of Christmas bread, kolach, placed on top of each other with a candle on top, a sheaf of wheat stalks called didukh and a serving of kutia. Hay is spread under the table, a reminder that Jesus was born in a manger. In modern times, sweets are hidden in the hay for children to find after the meal.
After the Christmas Eve supper, the assembly sang Christmas carols and attended a special mass.
