12 Days of Traditions – Day 5: Ruth Raftery
A Christmas Eve Tradition
Growing up in a Carpatho-Rusyn Family and attending a Russian Orthodox Church – Christmas Eve Dinner (called the Holy Supper) was full of symbolism and ethnic traditions.
First, the entire day was a strict fast day. That meant no meat or dairy was allowed. The Supper consisted of 12 foods (no meat or dairy), symbolic of the 12 Apostles. Foods included Kesalicha (a thick soup made with oats – that my cousin and I referred to as wallpaper paste), pierogi...
