Legends, St Nicholas and rockets in Kyiv. It’s all here from Yaraslova Antipina.
From Yaroslava Antipina, a writer from Kyiv. She writes about war events and the history of Ukraine on Patreon. I’m sharing her content because it shows how Ukrainians are coping with war in their third Christmas season.
In Kyiv, December is ruling more confidently now. A light Christmas mood is crawling into hearts.
A Christmas Tree is standing on St Sophia Square in Kyiv. More stores are dressing up in their holiday gowns. And museums and galleries are announcing winter exhibitions.
From my trip to Ukraine e in December 2023.
On December 2, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 110 drones. In Ternopil (my aunt lives in this city; she is safe), a drone hit a high-rise building, killing one person and injuring three.
On December 6, the Russians targeted Zaporizhzhia, striking a crowded area and killing ten civilians, including two children, while injuring 27. That same day, a missile attack on Kryvyi Rih resulted in three deaths and 17 injuries, including one child.
St Nicholas
Let me share some information about St. Nicholas. My research on Christmas has revealed that the Christian cult of St. Nicholas began in Ukraine during Kyivan Rus. Icons of the saint adorned homes.
St. Nicholas Day is celebrated twice a year: on December 6 and May 9. Traditionally, the main feature of the winter St. Nicholas Day was that real frosts began only on this day. Conversely, it was thought there would be no more frosts after Spring Nicholas.
A legend is associated with the icon of St. Nicholas. It became famous for its miraculous work in the late 11th century and was known as Nicholas the Wet. It resided in St. Sophia Cathedral.
According to the legend, a young couple went on a pilgrimage to Vyshhorod, a town near Kyiv. On their way back home by boat along the Dnipro River, the exhausted mother fell asleep and accidentally dropped her baby into the water. The child drowned. Desperate, the parents turned to St. Nicholas, pleading for their child’s salvation.
The following day, a priest at St. Sophia Cathedral discovered the child lying near the image of St. Nicholas, still wet from the river.
The icon has survived to this day, although it was taken to the United States during World War II. In April 2022, it was announced that the icon would be returned to Ukraine after the war.
Gifts Under the Pillow
Before the holiday, children write letters to St. Nicholas, explaining how they behaved throughout the year and listing the gifts they hope to receive. Those who have been good are rewarded with sweets, toys, or other delightful surprises.
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