Greetings to all. Most of you celebrated Christmas in peace and joy. My Christmas is January 7th. Since I'll be in a hurry. I need to buy everything and save it. I decided to write you an article about how Christmas is celebrated in my home.
Orthodox believers, who respect the Julian calendar, celebrate Christmas on January 7, the holiday of the whole family, which is then gathered. Many customs have remained to this day, only slightly adapted to the modern way of life.
Christmas Eve
The day before Christmas, January 6, is called Christmas Day. It got its name because Christmas Eve is cut that day and brought into the house. The Christmas celebration is already starting with this day. Women in the house knead Christmas cookies, cakes, prepare the table for Christmas. N Christmas Day is fasted. This is my table for Christmas Day. The picture is from last year, but that's how I prepare it every year. Fish, baklava, potato salad, risotto with mushrooms, salty balls with flour and sunflower seeds, sesame seeds. There is always fresh and dried fruit.
After Christmas Eve, straw is brought into the house. The housewife puts various sweets, small gifts and toys in the straw under the table, where dinner is served, which the children look for and drink like chickens. The straw symbolizes the straw in the cave where Christ was born. On Christmas morning, before dawn, all the bells in the Orthodox churches ring, all the householders wear the most solemn costume, and go to church for the morning and Christmas liturgy.
On Christmas, early in the morning, a special guest comes to the house, who usually agrees with the host, and it can also be a random passer-by. He is especially welcomed into the house and is called a layman. The hostess serves the position and gives him a suitable gift. It is believed that he is the person who brings happiness to the house on Christmas, and for the whole next year.
This is my position. We decorated it with gifts, that's the custom.
Early in the morning on Christmas, the housewife kneads the dough from which she bakes a cake called "garlic". A gold, silver or ordinary coin is placed in it, pricked with a Christmas tree twig from above, and this garlic has the role of a celebration cake on Christmas. When everyone is at the table, the host lights a candle, takes the censer, burns the icons, the chandeliers and everything present, hands it to a younger censer who smokes the whole house. The prayer "Our Father" is read aloud, and then the hosts break one of the family members' bread.
He who gets a part of the garlic in which the coin is, according to popular belief, will be happy all year round. When the breaking of the garlic is over, the family members congratulate each other on the holiday with the words "Peace of God, Christ is born!" And sit down at the table.
I hope I have presented you with a picture and a word about how Christmas is celebrated in my home. The pictures are from last year. In anticipation of the most beautiful prayer, I wish you all the best.
Thank you because you shared with us how was your Christmas day.I saw in photos you have beautiful family and dog.There was all kind of foods.I want to taste some too.Nice post dear.