In snub to Russia, Ukraine celebrates Christmas on December 25 for first time
1 year ago

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

India Today  

Ukrainian Orthodox Christians attended services on Sunday as the country for the first time celebrated Christmas on December 25, after the government changed the date from January 7, when most Orthodox believers celebrate, as a snub to Russia. "All Ukrainians are together," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a Christmas message released Sunday evening. Zelenskyy signed a law in July moving the celebration to December 25, saying it allowed Ukrainians to "abandon the Russian heritage of imposing Christmas celebrations on January 7". On Sunday evening, worshippers packed St Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv -- the headquarters of the new independent church -- for a Christmas service led by the primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Yepifaniy.

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History of this topic

Ukraine celebrates Christmas on December 25 for the first time as Zelensky vows: 'Resonate together with Europe and the world'... months after signing law to bring forward festivities in snub to Russi
11 months, 4 weeks ago

Ukraine celebrates Christmas on December 25 for the first time as Zelensky vows: 'Resonate together with Europe and the world'... months after signing law to bring forward festivities in snub to Russi

Daily Mail  

Ukraine yesterday marked Christmas Day on December 25 for the first time in a deliberate shift away from Russian influence. The Zelenchuk family prays before a Christmas dinner in Kryvorivnia village, December 24 Ukrainian troops installed a Christmas tree at a destroyed blockpost outside Bakhmut city, eastern Ukraine, amid celebrations in line with the Georgian calendar, December 25, 2023 Ukrainian …

Ukraine celebrates Christmas on Dec. 25 for the first time, distancing itself from Russia
11 months, 4 weeks ago

Ukraine celebrates Christmas on Dec. 25 for the first time, distancing itself from Russia

The Hindu  

Christmas carried more than spiritual weight for many Ukrainians this year as the country newly observed it as a public holiday on Dec. 25 rather than the later date followed in Russia. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which didn’t recognize the authority of the Russian church and had been regarded as schismatic, was granted full recognition in 2019 by the …

Ukraine says it shot down Russian fighter jets and drones as the country officially marks Christmas
11 months, 4 weeks ago

Ukraine says it shot down Russian fighter jets and drones as the country officially marks Christmas

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday hailed the shooting down of two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve and said “this Christmas sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.” In a Christmas message marking the first time the country has officially observed the holiday on Dec. 25 rather than Jan. 7, Zelenskyy also referred to …

Ukraine snubs Russia to celebrate Christmas on December 25 for first time
1 year ago

Ukraine snubs Russia to celebrate Christmas on December 25 for first time

Hindustan Times  

Ukraine is celebrating Christmas on December 25 for the first time since its independence. Believers attend a Christmas Eve service at the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral as Ukrainians celebrate their first Christmas according to a Western calendar Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a Christmas message which was released on Sunday evening. This new date of celebration is a snub to …

Ukraine moves official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25, denouncing Russian-imposed traditions
1 year, 4 months ago

Ukraine moves official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25, denouncing Russian-imposed traditions

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday signed a law moving the official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25 from Jan. 7, the day when the Russian Orthodox Church observes it. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the branch that is separate from the Russian church, announced earlier this year that it was switching to the Revised Julian calendar, …

Ukraine moves Christmas holiday, distancing itself from Russian tradition
1 year, 4 months ago

Ukraine moves Christmas holiday, distancing itself from Russian tradition

ABC  

Ukraine has moved its official Christmas holiday to December 25 in a break with the Russian Orthodox Church which celebrates it on January 7, according to new legislation. Key points: The change is designed to end Russia "imposing" its own celebrations on Ukraine, a note on the parliament website said It comes as part of a wider move to separate …

A first for reclaimed Kyiv cathedral: Christmas in Ukrainian
1 year, 11 months ago

A first for reclaimed Kyiv cathedral: Christmas in Ukrainian

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Packing a cathedral for Orthodox Christmas, hundreds of worshippers heard the service in that church in the Ukrainian language for the first time in decades, a demonstration of independence from the Russian Orthodox Church. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which remained loyal to the Moscow patriarch since the 17th century, declared independence from Moscow’s Patriarchate after Russia’s invasion …

Orthodox celebrate Christmas in shadow of Russia-Ukraine conflict
1 year, 11 months ago

Orthodox celebrate Christmas in shadow of Russia-Ukraine conflict

The Hindu  

Orthodox Christians packed churches on Friday evening for Christmas Eve services, a holiday darkened for many by the conflict raging between Orthodox neighbors Russia and Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, the world's largest Orthodox denomination, led elaborate services at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral, with dozens of priests and officiants arrayed in rich vestments swinging smoking …

A brief respite: The Hindu Editorial on Russia’s Orthodox Christmas truce in Ukraine
1 year, 11 months ago

A brief respite: The Hindu Editorial on Russia’s Orthodox Christmas truce in Ukraine

The Hindu  

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to observe a 36-hour ceasefire on the front line in Ukraine comes at a time when his troops are struggling to cope with a series of battlefield setbacks and mounting casualties. Ukraine has questioned Russia’s sincerity, saying the Kremlin would use the pause in fighting to replenish and rearm its forces and move more soldiers …

Amid Russia war, Ukrainians change this Christmas tradition: Here's why
1 year, 11 months ago

Amid Russia war, Ukrainians change this Christmas tradition: Here's why

India TV News  

Ukraine Christmas Celebrations: Ukrainians usually celebrate Christmas on January 7, as do the Russians. The Russian Orthodox Church, which claims sovereignty over Orthodoxy in Ukraine, and some other Eastern Orthodox churches continue to use the ancient Julian calendar. The Catholic Church first adopted the modern, more astronomically precise Gregorian calendar in the 16th century, and Protestants and some Orthodox churches …

Some Ukrainians move up Christmas to part ways with Russia
1 year, 11 months ago

Some Ukrainians move up Christmas to part ways with Russia

Associated Press  

BOBRYTSIA, Ukraine — Ukrainians usually celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, as do the Russians. The Russian Orthodox Church, which claims sovereignty over Orthodoxy in Ukraine, and some other Eastern Orthodox churches continue to use the ancient Julian calendar. The Catholic Church first adopted the modern, more astronomically precise Gregorian calendar in the 16th century, and Protestants and some Orthodox churches …

Some Ukrainians move up Christmas to part ways with Russia
2 years ago

Some Ukrainians move up Christmas to part ways with Russia

LA Times  

A woman attends a Christmas Mass at an Orthodox Church in Bobrytsia, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday. The Russian Orthodox Church, which claims sovereignty over Orthodoxy in Ukraine, and some other Eastern Orthodox churches continue to use the ancient Julian calendar. The Catholic Church first adopted the modern, more astronomically precise Gregorian calendar in the 16th century, …

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