Slovak Christmas

For Slovak Christians, Christmas Eve and its beautiful velija supper, steeped in tradition and ceremony, prepare them for the birth of the Christ Child. The dinner usually consists of 12 dishes, representing the number of apostles. It is a fasting meal since it is the last day of Advent.

Carpatho-Rusyn/Slovak velija or Christmas Eve Holy Supper is a meatless meal with usually 12 courses representing Christ's apostles.

This is how Slovaks celebrate Christmas.

Description of a Christmas market in Bratislava, Slovakia.

This recipe for Slovak Christmas bread or vianocka is a slightly sweet yeast-raised raisin bread similar to Jewish challah.

Pagach is a bread stuffed with mashed potatoes or cabbage and served at meatless meals, like Advent, Lent and for the Christmas Eve supper known as Velija.