Ukraine celebrates first Christmas on 25 December

For the first time this year, numerous Ukrainian Orthodox Christians are preparing to observe Christmas on 25 December. Traditionally, Ukraine has followed the Julian calendar, similar to Russia, where Christmas is celebrated on 7 January. However, in a significant shift from Russia, Ukraine is now commemorating Christmas according to the Western or Gregorian calendar, which is utilized in their everyday life.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amended the law in July, stating that it enabled Ukrainians to 'abandon the Russian heritage' of observing Christmas in January. In a Christmas message delivered on Sunday evening, Mr Zelensky expressed that all Ukrainians were now united. 'We all celebrate Christmas together. On the same date, as one big family, as one nation, as one united country.

In the capital city, Kyiv, a married couple, Lesia Shestakova, a Catholic, and Oleksandr Shestakov, an Orthodox, are celebrating Christmas together. Previously, they celebrated Christmas twice, with their respective parents. However, they attended the Sunday morning service at the city's Catholic cathedral. 'There is finally a day in Ukraine which my husband and I can spend together in the cathedral and thank God that we are together, alive and in good health,' Lesia informed Reuters news agency. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, a newly established independent church that conducted its first service in 2019, has also shifted its Christmas date to 25 December.