Ukrainians usually celebrate Christmas on January 7, as do the Russians, but not all of them are doing so this year.
Ukrainians usually celebrate Christmas on January 7, as do the Russians, but not all of them are doing so this year.
Some Orthodox Ukrainians have decided to observe Christmas on December 25, like many Christians around the world, and they have the blessing of their local church.
The idea of commemorating the birth of Jesus in December was considered radical in Ukraine until recently, but Russia’s invasion changed many hearts and minds.
In October, the leadership of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which is not aligned with the Russian church and is one of two branches of Orthodox Christianity in the country, agreed to allow the faithful to celebrate on December 25.
The choice of dates has clear political and religious overtones in a nation with rival Orthodox churches and where slight revisions to rituals can carry potent meaning in a culture war that runs parallel to the shooting war.
For some people, changing dates represents a separation from Russia, its culture, and religion.
People in a village on the outskirts of Kyiv voted recently to move up their Christmas observance.
“What began on February 24, the full-scale invasion, is an awakening and an understanding that we can no longer be part of the Russian world,” said Olena Paliy, a 33-year-old Bobrytsia resident.
