In a snub to Russia, Ukraine celebrates Christmas on December 25 for the first time

Ukrainian Orthodox Christians gathered for services on Sunday to celebrate Christmas on December 25 for the first time, marking a departure from the traditional January 7 date observed by most Orthodox believers. The date change was implemented by the government as a symbolic move against Russia.

"All Ukrainians are together," stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a Christmas message on Sunday evening. "We all celebrate Christmas together, on the same date, as one big family, as one nation, as one united country."

In the Black Sea port of Odesa, worshippers attended Christmas Eve services in the Cathedral of the Nativity, adorned with fir trees and a nativity scene. One parishioner, Olena, expressed the significance of celebrating Christmas in unity with the whole of Ukraine, away from Moscow's influence.

The majority of Eastern Christian churches, following the Julian calendar, celebrate Christmas on January 7. However, Zelenskyy signed a law in July to shift the celebration to December 25, aiming to distance Ukraine from the Russian tradition imposed on January 7.

This alteration is part of broader efforts, post the invasion, to erase traces of Russian and Soviet influence, including renaming streets and removing monuments. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine formally severed ties with the Russian Orthodox Church due to Moscow's actions in Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The political divide has led to priests and entire parishes switching allegiances, with the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine gaining prominence. In Kyiv, worshippers gathered at St Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery for a Christmas service led by Metropolitan Yepifaniy, the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

The decision to change the Christmas date received support from Ukrainians across the country, who see it as a way to embrace new beginnings. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church also opted to celebrate Christmas on December 25, while the historically Russia-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church maintains the January 7 date.

Ukrainian Christmas traditions, including a meatless dinner on Christmas Eve with 12 dishes, elaborate wheat sheaves (didukh) decorating homes, singing carols (kolacky), and performing nativity scenes, were observed as the country embraced the change in Christmas celebration date.

रूस के प्रति ठुकराई, यूक्रेन ने पहली बार 25 दिसंबर को क्रिसमस मनाया।