Tonight as the first star appears in the sky, Ukrainian Canadian families will gather to celebrate Christmas Eve. Sviata Vecheria (the Christmas Eve Supper) is steeped in tradition and features a humble and reverent 12-dish meal in honour of the twelve apostles spreading food for the soul throughout the world. The dishes contain no meat or dairy products to show respect for the animals that shared their place of shelter and were present for the birth of Christ. It is the climax of a six week Nativity Fast period called Pylypivka. Read more.
