Key takeaways:
- Ukrainians celebrated Christmas on December 25th for the first time, after the government changed the date from January 7th.
- Ukrainian Orthodox Christians attended services in churches across the country on Christmas Eve.
- The celebration of Christmas on December 25th marks a significant shift in Ukraine’s relationship with Russia, and the country’s determination to assert its independence.
On Sunday, Ukrainians celebrated Christmas for the first time on December 25th, after the government changed the date from January 7th, when most Orthodox believers celebrate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the occasion with a Christmas message released Sunday evening, praising Ukraine’s “capabilities in negotiations with partners” and referring to the country’s claim to have destroyed three Russian fighter planes on Friday.
“The stronger our air defense, the fewer Russian devils will be in our skies and on our land,” Zelenskyy said. “This Christmas sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”
On Christmas Eve, Ukrainian Orthodox Christians attended services in churches across the country. In the southern Black Sea port of Odesa, churchgoers prayed and lit candles as priests in gold vestments held Christmas Eve service. Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv attended a Christmas Eve prayer service at the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv.
The Zelenchuk family in Kryvorivnia village celebrated the holiday with a Christmas dinner. “All Ukrainians are together,” said Zelenskyy in his Christmas message. “On the same date, as one big family, as one nation, as one united country.”
The celebration of Christmas on December 25th marks a significant shift in Ukraine’s relationship with Russia, and the country’s determination to assert its independence. Ukrainians are hopeful that the new year will bring further progress in the fight for freedom.
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