Merry Christmas - Slaveem Yoho !!!

Merry Christmas to our Eastern Cousins !!

(Today is Christmas for the Churches in the Eastern Rite)

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Tonight around the world Ukranians and other Slavic families will be celebrating their Christmas. I found the following on the net:

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"Sviata Vercheria" (Holy Supper) is the most important Family celebration. It consists of twelve lenten dishes to represent the twelve Apostles.

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The table is set beforehand with a handful of hay placed underneath a linen embroidered tablecloth, representing the bed of hay upon which the Christ Child lay.
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The centerpiece consists of Kalachi (a fancy braided bread) with candles on either side.The supper itself represents the produce grown on the land and obtained from the waters.

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The supper ritual begins with the appearance of the first star. With an appropriate traditional greeting, the head of the household ushers in the Diduch (a sheaf of wheat) to the dining room.

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After grace and the greeting "Chrystos Rodyvsia" (Christ is Born) to which everyone replies "Slaveem Yoho" (Let us Glorify Him).
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The meal begins with the indispensable and traditional Kutya, made up of cooked whole wheat, sweetened with honey and flavoured with ground poppy seeds.

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Everyone must partake of it.
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This is followed by a Boracht (beet soup). It can be served as a clear consommé or with tiny mushroom dumplings called "Vushka". The various fish dishes are, jellied pike or carp, baked trout, stuffed salmon and fish cakes in jellied consommé.

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There are two types of Holubtsi (cabbage rolls), with rice and buckwheat fillings. Varenyky (dumplings) with various fillings—potato, sauerkraut or prune; Hryby (mushrooms); vegetables; fruit compote; Pampushky (doughnuts); Mediwnyk (honey cake) and tortes, nuts and candies.

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Families attend evening or midnight Church services.