Orthodox Christians across Canada are celebrating today and tomorrow. For most of these communities, this is Christmas. In Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the Drozdovskyy family will share a very special meal this evening.
The twelve meat-free dishes, which include cabbage rolls, perogies, borscht, beets and potatos, brings a month-long fast to an end for most of the family. Liudmyla and her husband, Oleg fasted from meat and dairy products for almost 40 days.
Christmas is the most important holiday
“It’s very important for Ukrainian families, for sure. I remember when I was small and lived in the Soviet Union, it was a different situation. We can’t celebrate like we celebrate now,” Liudmyla Drozdovskyy told CBC News.
“I just really want to be together and pray and be together as a family,” she said.
Some of the other customs the Drozdovskyy family continue include setting an extra place at the table for the spirits of famlly members that passed away. And the white table cloth will cover a bunch of wheat to bring an abundant harvest, garlic to ward off evil spirits, and a bit of sugar to bring a sweet life.
Valentyna Drozdovskyy, 12, helped prepare for the feast. She’ll join in one of the other customs after dinner this evening when the family gives away cookies, candies, chocolate and apples to neighbours.
In Ottawa, the lights on Parliament Hill will stay lit until January 8th, in response to lobbying from Othordox communities, to include their festivities and extend the celebration of light for the holiday season.
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