According to Gregorgian Calendar Dec. 24 is Christmas Eve, Dec. 25 Christmas
According to the tradition, on this day the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ. In Bethlehem, in a manger, the Son of God was born. The news of the birth of the Son of God was brought to the shepherds by angels. Later came the Magi, the wise men from the East. The road to the city was shown to them by a bright star. According to the teaching of the Church, the birth of Jesus Christ opened the opportunity for salvation and eternal life for every Christian.
The Roman Catholic Church, most Protestant churches, as well as some Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on December 25.
Four Orthodox churches – Russian (including the Kyiv Metropolitane), Jerusalem, Serbian and Georgian – the Athos monasteries, as well as Eastern Rite Catholics and some Protestants who follow the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on the night of January 6.
A service is held on the night of December 24 in the Roman Catholic churches in Ukraine. The main ceremony, led by Pope Francis, is held St. Peter’s Basilica and is broadcast around the world.
From the loggia of the basilica, the pope gives an address to the crowd and to the world with Christmas greetings in 65 languages, including Ukrainian.
A large Ukrainian community is always present on St. Peter's Square. The pope gives the Apostolic Blessing “Urbi et Orbi,” which means "to the city [of Rome] and the World.”
On December 24 Latin Catholics and other Christians who follow the Gregorian calendar have Holy Supper. Christmas Eve is the last day of a four-week fast, prior to Christmas.
On the evening of December 24, when the first star appears, which once pointed the way for the wise men to the newborn child, the family gathers at the table. Before the meal, a passage from the Gospel is read and the first carol is sung, then everyone breaks the Christmas bread – a wafer, symbolizing the joy of the holiday that is approaching. The wafer is consecrated in churches during the fast before Christmas.
Sometimes a few strands of hay are placed on the table cloth as a reminder of the Bethlehem manger. In addition to kutya (wheat pudding), the meal includes 12 meatless dishes. At the end of Christmas Eve, the people sing carols and attend a Christmas Mass.
