January Holidays in Ukraine: Calendar and Traditions

January begins with the loudest celebration of the year, followed by quieter and even solemn dates. After the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church switched to the Revised Julian calendar in 2023, several church holidays moved, so here is an up-to-date January calendar and the traditions that go with it.

Winter flowers delivered: chrysanthemums and flowering potted plants.

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The January calendar

• 1 January: New Year and St Basil’s Day. In the morning children go from house to house “sowing”, scattering grain and wishing a good harvest and prosperity. The evening before, 31 December, is Generous Eve (Malanka).
• 5 and 6 January: Holy Eve and Epiphany. On the 5th a meatless supper is served, and on the 6th water is blessed. Under the new calendar the feast coincides with the date kept by most Christians worldwide.
• 12 January: St Tatiana’s Day under the new calendar. Many people still congratulate Tatianas on the 25th as well.
• 22 January: Day of Unity of Ukraine. The anniversary of the 1919 Act of Union of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the West Ukrainian People’s Republic.
• 29 January: Day of Memory of the Heroes of Kruty. Ukraine remembers the young fighters who fell in the Battle of Kruty in 1918.

Those who keep the old calendar celebrate Christmas on 7 January, St Basil’s Day on the 14th and Epiphany on the 19th. Late January or February also brings Chinese New Year, whose date changes every year.

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Flowers of January

In winter the shops fill with flowers that do well in a warm flat and hint at spring:

• Amaryllis (Hippeastrum). Large trumpet flowers on a tall stem, a striking potted gift.
• Hyacinths and tulips. The first forced bulbs appear as early as January.
• Chrysanthemums. They last two to three weeks in a vase and suit any occasion.
• Cyclamen. A potted plant that flowers all winter in a cool room.

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Read more about the winter holidays in Christmas in Ukraine and New Year traditions around the world.

FAQ

When is Epiphany under the new calendar?

On 6 January, with Holy Eve and a meatless supper on 5 January.

What flowers make a good gift in January?

Chrysanthemums, the first tulips and hyacinths, or a flowering potted plant such as amaryllis or cyclamen.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.