Dear Friends of ERSU Seminary,
Merry Christmas!
Or, as the Ukrainians say it, “Greetings on the Approach of Christmas!” they reserve the Christmas greeting for the actual DAY of Christmas, which is not on December 25th, but is on January 7th, since they follow the ancient Eastern calendar for many of their holidays. This way, however, we get to celebrate MANY TIMES! They have holidays in this order:
- Dec 24th New Christmas Eve
- Dec 25th New Christmas
- Dec 31st New Year’s Eve
- Jan 1st New Year’s Day
- Jan 6th Old Christmas Eve
- Jan 7th Christmas Day
- Jan 14th Old New Year’s Day
Whew! That’s a lot of celebrating! Sadly, their biggest cultural focus is not on Christ, but on the New Year. The Tree is not a Christmas Tree, but a New Year’s “Yule”, and the family gathers around it on New Year’s Eve (Dec 31st) to exchange “New Year’s presents”. Christ is removed from the festivities. Perhaps this came from 70 years of Communism, and perhaps from ancient paganism. Father Christmas is merely “Old Man Frost” (Ded Moroz), who is not accompanied by elves, but by the Snow Maiden (Snegurochka). The main meal is not turkey and dressing, but an assortment of dishes including “Fish in a Fur Coat” (Shuba) and vodka.
Yet, separating the holidays perhaps points more clearly to the religious nature of Christmas Day, when our seminary students and graduates are able to preach the living Christ. In the midst of all this celebrating, we rejoice to celebrate the True meaning of Christmas with many Ukrainians in our churches who are creating new traditions of Love in Christ. This is because of many of YOU, who have supported us with your love and prayers.
THANK YOU, and MERRY CHRISTMAS! God’s love has come down among us!
- Dr. Clay Quarterman, ERSU President
