DAY 1036 RUSSIAN AGGRESSION
On December 25, the Christian calendar marks the celebration of Christmas.
Today, Hanukkah is also being celebrated.
In the USA, it is National Pumpkin Pie Day.
Christmas
Christmas is a significant holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, recognized as one of the most important Christian celebrations and a public holiday in over 100 countries worldwide.
The earliest records of Christmas celebrations by Christians date back to the 4th century. The actual date of Jesus Christ's birth is a subject of debate and remains unresolved among church authors. The choice of December 25 may be linked to the pagan solar festival of the Birth of the Unconquered Sun, which was celebrated on this day and later took on new meaning after the adoption of Christianity in Rome.
Church and folk customs have intertwined harmoniously in the celebration of Christmas. The tradition of caroling is well known, where children and youth visit homes singing songs and offering good wishes. In return, carolers receive gifts such as sausages, fruits, eggs, pastries, and sweets. Stingy hosts are mocked and threatened with misfortunes. Various masks and costumes, often made from animal skins, are part of the processions, accompanied by lively festivities. This custom has been condemned by church authorities as pagan, and over time, caroling has become restricted to visiting relatives, neighbors, and close friends.
Over the centuries, numerous traditions for celebrating Christmas have developed, including traditional Christmas trees, nativity scenes, church services, and festive meals. However, in different countries, local customs add unique national characteristics and authenticity to this holiday.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday established in the 2nd century BCE to commemorate the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple, the sanctification of the altar, and the restoration of temple services. It is celebrated for eight days, starting from the 25th of Kislev in the Jewish calendar, typically falling in December. In 2024, it will be observed from the evening of Wednesday, December 25, to Thursday, January 2, 2025.
The holiday's symbol is the tradition of lighting the hanukkiah, a special nine-branched menorah, increasing the number of candles lit each day. Candles are lit for 8 days, adding one each day. They are placed from right to left but lit from left to right. Lit at the beginning of the evening, shortly before sunset, the candles must burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall. On Fridays, they are lit before the Sabbath candles. The menorah is placed across from the mezuzah at the entrance to the room where the family usually gathers. The light from the Hanukkah candles should not be used for work, reading, etc.
During Hanukkah, it is customary to give children some money to teach them about collecting funds for the poor. Part of this money can be spent on sweets.
Hanukkah symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, spirit over matter, and faith over disbelief. This holiday serves as a reminder of courage and devotion to traditions, as well as the power of faith that can create miracles.
National Pumpkin Pie Day
National Pumpkin Pie Day is celebrated annually in the USA on December 25. It represents a symbolic piece of tradition and culinary festive culture. This day is dedicated to enjoying pumpkin pie, a traditional North American dessert particularly popular in the fall and early winter, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Also on this day:
1923 - The first electric garland was lit on the Christmas tree at the White House (Washington);
1926 - The founding congress of the Ukrainian Women's Union of Canada took place;
1951 - The first electronic computing machine (MESM) in the USSR was put into operation in Kyiv;
1975 - A monument to I. Kotlyarevsky was unveiled in Kyiv;
1991 - Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as President of the USSR. The dissolution of the Soviet Union;
1991 - US President George Bush announced to the American people that the United States recognizes Ukraine's independence and is ready to establish diplomatic relations with it immediately. Ukraine's independence was recognized by Armenia, Israel, Iran, Mexico, Tajikistan, Tunisia, and Israel;
1992 - The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine registered the Ukrainian Voluntary Cultural and Educational Human Rights Charitable Society "Memorial" named after V. Stus;
2002 - The trial of 18 members of UNA-UNSO, participants in the mass riots of March 9, 2001, concluded in the Holosiyivskyi District Court of Kyiv. They were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment (four were given conditional sentences).
Born on this day:
140 years since the birth of Anastasia (Nastia) Borisovna Hrynchenko (1884-1908), Ukrainian writer, translator, and publicist, daughter of B. Hrynchenko;
130 years since the birth of Mykola Oleksandrovych Fomenko (1894-1961), Ukrainian composer, pianist, educator, and music critic (USA);
125 years since the birth of Konstantin Yefremovich Antipovich (1899-1949), Ukrainian historian and sphragist;
120 years since the birth of Gerhard Herzberg (1904-1999), Canadian physicist and Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry (1971).
Name days: Vasily, Grigory, Dmitry, Konstantin, Leonid, Mikhail, Nikolai, Alexander, Anfisa, Maria.