The Eastern Orthodox Churches predominantly follow the Julian calendar, and 7 January is also a public holiday in Ukraine. One of the most dynamic and successful commercial imprints in the UK, Sphere aims to publish the highest-quality popular fiction and non-fiction, including thrillers, women's fiction, and celebrity titles. From Christmas music to gifts and food, as well as a look back through the country's rich and troubled history through the perspective of the festive season, this beautifully illustrated and powerful book introduces readers to Ukraine's unique Christmas traditions.

Hotjar sets this cookie to know whether a user is included in the data sampling defined by the site's pageview limit. Professor of the Ukrainian Catholic University and Honorary Professor of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Professor Hrytsak has taught at Columbia and Harvard Universities and was a guest lecturer at the Central European University in Budapest. While the dishes served can vary regionally, as well as from family to family, the two mandatory dishes are uzvar and kutia, both reckoned by ethnographer Khvedir Vovk to be remnants of ancient rituals which date back to the neolithic era.According to a study conducted by the international company Deloitte in November 2023, after the transition of Ukrainian Christian churches to the new style, the majority of Ukrainians (about 45%) will celebrate Christmas on December 25 and only 17% on January 7, and 32% plan to celebrate twice. Families gather to join in a traditional supper, and sometimes even leave an empty place setting to represent loved ones who have passed on. Olha explained: “It is very common for children and young people to visit neighbours, relatives, and friends singing carols and giving the families best wishes. The All-Night Christmas Vigil then follows, families then troop to their local parish churches or Protestant churches to attend as thanksgiving for the Savior's birth in a stable.

We use Google Analytics to see what pages are most visited, and where in the world visitors are visiting from. While Oksana has opted for an artificial tree this year, back in Ukraine she usually enjoys picking out a real tree. Other Ukrainian Christmas attributes and traditions, such as gift-giving, Did Moroz's visits and Christmas decorations, lost their religious significance and became associated with New Year's celebrations, which were secular in nature.Sings of the independence of Ukraine yet ensures you feel the connecting hand of warmth, understanding, and friendship . In 1929, all religious holidays, including Christmas, were abolished by a decree of the Stalinist regime. In 1991, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Christmas was reinstated alongside other religious holidays. Olha will also be keeping her Ukrainian traditions alive in the UK this year, with lots of wrapped presents under the Christmas tree and time spent with friends and family. Our books regularly hit the bestseller lists, and we have powered countless authors to household-name status.