Ukrainian Catholics and Orthodox Christians in Greater Sudbury are celebrating Christmas today, Jan. 7.
Canadians from many Eastern European countries follow the Julian Calendar which delays Christmas 13 days. Ukrainian-Canadians eat 12 meatless dishes on Christmas Eve, one to represent each apostle.
Many Ukrainian-Canadians celebrate New Year's or Malanka on Jan. 13. Canadians who hold on to "Old World" customs keep Christmas alive for 12 days after Dec. 25 (the 12 days of Christmas).
Jan. 6 (or Twelfth Night) is the Feast of the Epiphany. It celebrates the visit of the Three Wisemen to Bethlehem. Jan. 6 is also known as Little Christmas.
Traditionally people take down their holiday decorations on this day. Superstitious people believe it is bad luck to take them down before or after this date.
