|
By Nicole Edwards, Poughkeepsie Journal
Poughkeepsie, New York, Tuesday, January 6, 2004
For some, the turning of the new year means it's time to celebrate
Christmas.
Members of the Russian Orthodox Church, who will celebrate the birth of
Christ on Wednesday, are among them.
According to Louise Klimoff, a member of Saint Nicholas Church in
Poughkeepsie, the congregation has services planned throughout the week in
commemoration of the holiday.
''The service is something that has been written and followed for many
centuries,'' said Klimoff, who added that this year a Christmas party and
dinner have been planned for the children following services on Sunday.
''There are special services and special music all in the theme of the
holiday.''
The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on Wednesday because it
follows the old Julian calendar. Most other Eastern Orthodox churches mark
Christmas on Dec. 25, which is the date recognized on the modern Gregorian
calendar.
Pope made change
Pope Gregory the XIII switched from the Julian calendar (initiated by Julius
Caesar) to his own Gregorian calendar during the 16th century. Some eastern
churches still use the Julian calendar to mark their holidays.
Others who maintain Christmas traditions in January are Ukrainian Catholics.
Vera Staruch, a member of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in
Kerhonkson [New York], said the mass planned for Wednesday tends to be
longer and geared more toward the Christmas spirit.
''I think every year you sort of look back and see what you've done and what
you've accomplished,'' Staruch said. ''Ultimately, I think you try to be
more connected spiritually to the church.''
The mass is preceded today by a traditional 12-course dinner for Staruch's
family that doesn't contain meat or dairy products and starts around 6 p.m.
The table is elaborately decorated. Their home also contains a cluster of
wheat in one corner called diduch -- from the summer harvest -- which
Staruch said symbolizes the year's bounty. Other dishes include kutya, a
cooked wheat made with honey, nuts and poppy seeds. A braided bread called
kulach is also served with potato pancakes, a beet soup called borscht,
stuffed cabbage and pierogis (noodle dough with a vegetable filling).
She said Ukrainians also use the holiday to connect with those who have
died, and along with a regular table setting, there are places set for those
who have passed. Gifts are distributed following dinner. Staruch said while
her family doesn't make plans on Dec. 24 or 25, they still respect the
meaning of the days.
Several cultures of the Caribbean and South American also recognize what is
known as Three Kings Day, celebrated today. It marks the events surrounding
the journey of the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem to visit the Christ child.
Romi Domoulin of Beacon said Three Kings Day is a festive holiday in her
native Puerto Rico. She wants to teach her children about their culture and
seeks to make the day festive, with gift giving and special food.
''It's like Christmas there,'' Domoulin said. ''People celebrate it and have
parties and go from house to house. They do the rosary and instead of
praying they sing the prayer during services, but the music is to a beat.
It's not solemn music. ... They sing songs about the baby Jesus.''
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/today/lifeentertainment/stories/li010604s1.shtml
FOR PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC USE ONLY
|
back
