Testament

When I die, pray, bury me

In my beloved Ukraine,

My tomb upon a grave mound high

Amid the spreading plain,

So that the fields, the boundless steppes,

The Dnipro's plunging shore,

My eyes might see, and my ears hear

The mighty river roar.

When from Ukraine the Dnipro bears

Into the deep blue sea

The blood of foes...then will I leave

These hills and fertile fields —

I'll leave them all and fly away

To the abode of God,

And then I'll pray.... But till that day

I nothing know of God.

Oh bury me, then rise ye up

And break your heavy chains

And water with the tyrants' blood

The freedom you have gained.

And in the great new family,

The family of the free,

With softly spoken, kindly word,

Pray, men, remember me.

Holidays in Ukraine christmas in ukraine

Since time immemorial, the Ukrainians have created images of wealth, happiness and peace in their homes through the lore of Christmas rituals. For Orthodox believers, January 6, when sacred holiday preparations and the Holy supper take place, and January 7, the Orthodox Christmas Day, are the most anticipated days of the whole year. Christmas is a family holiday and its atmosphere is carefully guarded, and the country's many customs are designed to guard the household against evil forses. All family members must be at home to greet Christmas Eve. All Christmas rites are aimed to recreate the atmosphere of the night when the Virgin Mary gave birth to her Son. It is believed that everything in the household, living or inanimate, must be in its regular resting place on Christmas Eve. Nothing should be left outside the house or in anybody else's hands, whether left or forgotten.

Homes are kept sparkling clean because it is believed that litter left in a room will stay there until the next Christmas. All family members gather for supper on Christmas Eve and even those who have died are remembered. Before joining for the Holy meal, families go to the cemeteries to pay tribute to their deceased relatives.

At sunset the host greets the family with, «I congratulate you with happiness, health, and a Holy evening». A plateful of kutia, a cold wheat or barley porridge and uzvar, a cold drink with stewed dried fruits, are nestled in the hay on the table in rememberance of those relatives who have passed away.

The dinner table overflows with dishes on Christmas Eve, symbolising the wealth of the past year. The hostess usually prepares twelve meals without the use of butter or meat: borsch, varenyky, fish, golubtsi, mushrooms, bread and pies.

When the star rises in the sky, announcing the birth of Christ, the family gathers at the table. After a prayer, the man of the house pronounces, «Christ is bom», puts the symbolic cross over the kutia and takes the first spoon. The rest of the family then follows, dishes are passed and conversation is leisurely.

The rite that crowns the Christmas dinner is koliada. Women and children, holding rods with shining stars attached to their ends, go out to homes singing: «Good evening to you, mister host, and joy to you, and joy to you the Earth too, for the Son of God is born!»