Many Orthodox know the tradition of wearingSupper to close relatives and godfathers on the eve of the Nativity of Christ, wishing them a good evening. However, not everyone knows where this rite comes from, what is its meaning. When are the vespers and how should they do it right? What usually is in the festive holy evening basket, who and to whom should it be presented? Let's try to figure it out.
Old Little Russian rite to wear the supperactually has pagan roots. The ritual treat, which was customarily shared with the closest blood relatives, and also sent to the midwife, symbolized the spiritual unity of families, their disposition to each other, mutual sympathy and generosity.
Christianity readily adopted this rite.The manifestation of the desire to visit the godfathers, dear and close people is entrenched in the traditions of the Holy evening on the eve of Christmas, when they wear a supper. This ritual act is not obligatory, but it is welcomed and encouraged by the church.
According to accepted traditions, it is customary to carry the eveningJanuary sixth - on the eve of the celebration of Orthodox Christmas. The godparents bring refreshments to their godfathers, spend several hours visiting them, and then go home to celebrate Christmas at their own family table. It is not forbidden, of course, to visit relatives with goodies and later, on Christmas day itself. And yet the time when the supper is worn is supposed to be Christmas Eve, otherwise it will be just a congratulation of loved ones on the holiday.
According to the rules, children should wear the evening. It is supposed to pass on to close blood relatives and godfathers, and the latter - without fail.
When meeting on Christmas Eve it is customary to welcomeeach other with the words "Christ is born!" and to hear in response, "Praise him!". With this phrase also enter the house when they wear the evening. The godparents first treat the godfather, then the godmother, handing them a basket of goodies with the words: "Mom and Tato sent the evening. Good evening!".
Supper is considered symbolic gratitude.Godfathers parents for taking responsibility and concern for praying for the child and spiritually instructing him. In response, godfathers also thank the children, handing them coins and sweets - pies, nuts, sweets (for what they did), and in return they give them several ritual dishes.
What does the sacrifice ritual treat consist of?As a rule, that which is worn at the Holy Supper in accordance with the old tradition is kutya, quvar (uzvar) and bread. It is accepted to call porridge, originally prepared from threshed wheat or barley with the addition of honey, poppy, raisins and nuts. It was believed that the more hearty and richer the Christmas holiday would be, the more wealth and well-being would be in the family in the coming year. Uzvar was a compote of several types of dried fruit: cherries, apples, plums, pears - a traditional Ukrainian recipe and today has not changed much. Well, without a round fragrant palyanitsa, symbolizing generosity, hospitality and hard work, no important family holiday has ever done.
Not necessarily limited to traditionalritual cuisine. Evening can be homemade cakes, various dishes from fruits and vegetables. If there are small children in the family who carry the evening, you can put sweets in the basket with a treat. However, in principle, there are no special or mandatory rules regarding holiday gifts - you can please your loved ones with what the soul wishes.
Holy evening marks the endChristmas post. It is supposed that on this day there would be twelve lenten dishes on the holiday table - in honor of the twelve apostles who took part in the last evening.
As well as among the dishes that are worn at the eveninggodfathers, kutya and uzvar have always been the main ones on the Christmas table. In addition to them, supper was traditionally served kapustnyak with millet, seasoned with vegetable oil, borsch with mushrooms and fish, and millet or buckwheat porridge prepared in a special way. Traditionally, much attention was paid to fish dishes: the gifts of the rivers were fried and chilled, used as a filling for pies and a pie. In addition, the festive meal rarely got along without cooked peas or beans, fried mushrooms, cabbage rolls, dumplings, fasting pies with various fillings. All dishes served on Christmas Eve, had a magical function - to ensure the well-being of the family for next year. Therefore, the table was taken to collect the rich, and prepare a feast for the holiday began in advance.
Holy evening is traditionally supposed to celebrate incircle your own family. If the guests are inevitable, then it should be the first to enter the house happy person, blessing all its inhabitants for happiness in the coming year.
Since ancient times, it was believed that celebrate Christmasneed to be in beautiful clothes, putting on the table a new dish. It is impossible to be late for the festive table: the violator will have to wander in the far side all next year.
During the festive feast it was not allowed to abruptly jump up from the table, shout and talk loudly - it was believed that this could scare away luck from the family.
Посуду с кутьёй после ужина принято было leave on the table. In addition, family members left their spoons in a common pot so that at night they could feast on the souls of their ancestors, which, according to beliefs, descend to the earth that night.
