This word comes from the ancient Greek "canon" and has several meanings in the Russian language. Eve is the day (in some cases, the evening) preceding the holiday, and the time before any important event, and the ritual memorial church accessory, and the memorial meal or drink, and a musical instrument.
Ritualistic meaning
Eve (this is the oldest, probably the meaning of the word) denotes a table, usually quadrangular, on which are located containers for funeral candles or candlesticks. The table top is marble or metal. Also, this concept designates the place where products are brought to remember the dead. It is located next to the tetrapod. It is in front of this eve, on which the Crucifixion is standing, as well as images of the Virgin and John the Theologian, funeral services and services for the repose are held. The believer, putting a candle in the canon holder, utters a specific prayer addressed to the Lord with a request to forgive sins and create eternal memory.
Tasty bun
Eve is water that is sweetened with honey, or honey boil. Matted honeys are those that have double fermented. And if the roll was crumbled in full, then the eve turned out. This dish in combination with kutya (koliva), pancakes, jelly in the traditions of the Eastern Slavs was usually served at the memorial table. But fed at the same time was also a universal delicacy that gave life to the expression "eat enough", which meant "eat everything, get to the sweet table."
The eve of the event
In the general cultural context, one of the most commonly used meanings of the word eve is "time preceding any event, as a rule, significant." For example: on the eve of an important meeting, on the eve of an assassination attempt, on the eve of a holiday.
The adverb “on the eve” can also be used in this context. For example: on the eve of negotiations, on the eve of a prayer service, on the eve of a rally.
Christmas Eve
In this sense and in this context, the word is used most often. Especially in the last decades of the revival of Christian Orthodoxy in Russia. What does the expression "Christmas Eve" mean?
This phrase, as a rule, means the evening (evening) before the Christmas of the Savior. It falls on December 24 (January 6). This evening bears the name of nomad, Christmas Eve, holy evening among various Slavic peoples. At this time, it was supposed to be intensely prepared for the holiday. In the traditions of Orthodoxy - refusal of food to the first star (Bethlehem is implied) and conversation with kutya and oozing (honey - a symbol of spiritual gifts).