The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

UKRAINIAN EPIPHANY

SOME UKRAINIANS FOLLOW THE OLD CALENDAR AND FOR THEM THE
EPIPHANY IS CHRISTMAS EVE. FOR OUR FAMILY IT IS ON JANUARY 6
AND IT IS CALLED CHEDRY VECHER AND WE BASICALLY EAT THE SAME
MEAL AS AT CHRISTMAS BUT INSTEAD OF CAROLS BETWEEN THE COURSES
WE SING SCHEDIVKY. THESE SONGS ARE MORE FOLKISH THAN RELIGIOUS
LIKE THE CAROLS. AGAIN WE GO TO CHURCH FOR MIDNIGHT MASS AND THE
THE NEXT DAY WE EAT THE SAME MEAL AGAIN. AT MASS THEY BLESS THE
HOLY WATER FOR THE NEXT YEAR. IT IS A VERY INVOLVED CEREMONY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT