Christmas Eve: what you can and strictly can not do, omens

Traditionally, the feast of Christmas is preceded by another significant date for Orthodox Christians - Christmas Eve. The ecclesiastical name of this day is the pre-festivity of the Nativity of Christ, when believers prepare for the most important church celebration, it is passed with a sense of anticipation of the upcoming holiday. In 2025, Christmas Eve falls on Monday, January 6. History and traditions of the holiday - in the material "Izvestia".

Christmas Eve: what is this church holiday on January 6

Christmas Eve - the day before Christmas, which is celebrated on January 6 for Orthodox Christians (according to the Julian calendar) and December 24 for Catholics and Protestants (according to the Gregorian calendar). It is a special day of strict fasting and spiritual preparation for the most important Christian holiday.

The word "Christmas Eve" comes from the name of the dish that was traditionally prepared on this day - sochivo. This is a fasting porridge, which, like kutya, is made of wheat or rice grains with honey, nuts, poppy seeds and dried fruits. Sochivo symbolizes purification of the soul and body before the holiday.

The history of Christmas Eve is closely connected with the establishment of the feast of the Nativity of Christ. The holiday appeared in the early years of Christianity, it has deep spiritual and symbolic roots, as it combines both Old Testament customs and New Testament expectation of the coming of the Messiah.

As a special day of waiting, Christmas Eve dates back to Jewish tradition, when important feasts were preceded by days of strict fasting and prayer. Fasting until the first star symbolizes the waiting for the coming of the Savior foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament.

The Feast of the Nativity of Christ was officially approved in the IV century. Until that day, believers celebrated Christmas together with Epiphany (Baptism). In the Catholic tradition, the holiday falls on January 6, and in the Orthodox tradition - on January 19. In 336, under the Roman Emperor Constantine, Christmas in the Western tradition began to be celebrated on December 25 (according to the Julian calendar), and January 6 became the day of Epiphany.

Christmas Eve is a time when believers purify their souls and bodies through prayer and humility, and it also marks the end of the 40-day Christmas fast. On Christmas Eve believers remember the events connected with the birth of Jesus Christ: the Star of Bethlehem, which showed the way to the wise men and announced the birth of the Savior.

Fasting until the first star symbolizes waiting for the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem. Only with its appearance the festive meal is allowed.

On this day in Orthodox churches there are special services. In the morning, the Royal Hours are read, including the reading of psalms, prophecies of the Old Testament and Gospel texts related to the Nativity of Christ. This service is characterized by solemnity and includes prayers for the salvation of all mankind. Christmas Eve teaches humility, charity and the importance of family and spiritual values, and its traditions are passed on from generation to generation, strengthening faith and unity.

In the evening, the festive liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated, during which the faithful prepare to celebrate Christmas. After Christmas Eve, the All-Night Vigil begins, which seamlessly transitions into the nighttime festive liturgy of the Nativity.

On Christmas Eve, children and adults make or buy creches - scenes depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. A cave can be puppet, theatrical or decorative.

Christmas Eve traditions

There are many different traditions of celebrating Christmas Eve. In some regions already from the evening begin to congratulate friends and acquaintances on Christmas Eve, in others - this day is spent in the family circle at a special meal with sochiv. The main thing is to prepare in advance for the Christian holiday and confess in order to receive Holy Communion on the day of the feast.

Christmas Eve is a time when every detail has symbolic meaning. It is important to behave with restraint, avoid conflict and fill the day with good deeds in order to greet Christmas with a pure heart and soul.

During Christmas Eve it is necessary to observe a strict fast until the first star appears in the sky - in memory of the Star of Bethlehem. No food should be consumed until the designated moment. You can drink water, in the evening you should give preference to fasting dishes. The main dish of the holiday is kutya (porridge made of wheat or rice with honey, nuts and dried fruits). It is prepared in a special mood, with prayer.

Cleaning of the house should be completed before evening. It is important to keep the house clean, because it is believed that in a clean house the year will pass in harmony and order.

During Christmas Eve, the house should be decorated with candles and decorations. Light symbolizes Christ's teachings, and decorations symbolize joy and prosperity. On this day it is customary to show charity: help the poor, donate to charity, treat the homeless - this sign of love and compassion is considered especially important at Christmas.

What should not be done on Christmas Eve

Like all church holidays, Christmas Eve is shrouded in many traditions and prohibitions. Although the church does not approve of fortune-telling, in popular tradition Christmas Eve was considered a mystical time for girls to fortune-tell their soulmate. Fortune-telling was conducted at midnight, using candles, mirrors, water and other symbolic objects. For example, they used to put a comb under the pillow and say: "Come comb my hair in my sleep". New clothes on this day - to riches, and if the clothes are old - to economy and poverty.

In the world it is believed that on this day you can not knit and wash, as this action can confuse the fate and attract diseases in life. Taking out the garbage on Christmas Eve symbolizes "taking out" of the house of happiness, so it is categorically impossible to do so.

In addition, on Christmas Eve it is impossible to lend money to anyone, as it can bring financial difficulties.

People believed that it is not worth talking about the deceased on Christmas Eve in order not to cause trouble. Instead, one should pray for the souls of the deceased.

Despite the festive mood, alcohol abuse is strictly condemned. On this day it is important to remain sober and focused on spiritual values. If someone comes to the house on Christmas Eve, he should not be chased away or rudely refused a treat. Hospitality symbolizes mercy and benevolence.

It was popularly believed that on Christmas Eve one should stay awake as long as possible in order not to oversleep happiness. At night it was forbidden to look in the mirror, as the reflection could show bad omens.

As explained to "Pravmir" priest Victor Gavrish, these prohibitions for the peasant of the XV century were the basis of the annual religious cycle. "On the eve of the holiday one should prepare for communion, for the service. On the holiday itself - given that you got up, most likely, at 5 am to reach the church in the nearest village - is it up to work on this day, especially in winter?"

The priest also commented on laundry bans. "I can hardly imagine a modern woman and in general any person who takes this laundry, boils it, then carries it to the ice-hole, rinses it there. Either service or washing - this was the alternative even 200 years ago. Today, when a person just pours powder, puts a couple of things in the washing machine and presses the button, what are we talking about? Let the washing machine wash, sin, it does not aspire to heaven anyway," he reacted.

Christmas Eve: folk and weather omens

The Orthodox Church does not share the belief of Christians in omens and various superstitions. Ministers urge not to believe in invented prejudices. However, folk omens have been formed over the years, some of them come from pagan traditions. Because of this, people continue to believe in both superstitions and omens.

Weather omens at Christmas were often used to predict the next year's harvest and weather conditions for the entire period. For example, clear skies and frost foretell a good harvest and plenty of bread in the coming year. A snowfall, fog or thaw on this day heralds a rich harvest of mushrooms and berries.

If the wind blows from the south on Christmas Eve, the year will be warm and rich in fruit. If from the east - the winter will be harsh, but business will be prosperous. A west wind may herald an abundance of fish, a north wind a cold and low-yielding year.

On Christmas Eve, the house should be perfectly cleaned so that the next year would be prosperous. It was said that dirt in the house brings poverty and misfortune. If the candle burned evenly during the festive meal, it was considered a sign of a quiet year. If it crackled or smoked, it was a warning of possible difficulties.

If a piece of bread or crumbs were left on the table, the next year would be abundant and blessed for the family. If a plate or a glass broke accidentally on Christmas Eve, it was considered a good sign.

If the first guest on Christmas Eve was a man, the year would bring health and success. If a woman - it will be calm and measured. If a person fell ill on Christmas Eve, it could portend a difficult year. It was believed that if a quarrel starts on Christmas Eve, it will attract conflicts for the whole year.

Orthodox Christians traditionally have 12 Lenten dishes on the table - according to the number of apostles. Catholics have nine or 13 dishes depending on the region. This symbolized prosperity and wealth. The first piece of food from the table was considered sacred. It was believed that if a piece fell on the floor, it should not be picked up - it would take away good luck from the house.

If a girl sneezed at the table, it boded well for her marriage.

If you feed the animals well on Christmas Eve, they will be healthy and bring a good litter. It was believed that animals could talk on this night, but it was strictly forbidden to eavesdrop on their conversation in order not to bring trouble.

Under the tablecloth used to put a few coins to attract wealth. If hay was put under the tablecloth, it could be left in the house until spring to be lucky for the whole year.