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 incense censers and chanting the liturgy. During his speech at Coptic Christmas Eve Mass in Cairo, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi emphasized the harmful impact the fighting in Ukraine was having on the country. El-Sissi has attended several Christmas Eve services held by the country's Coptic Orthodox minority, in a public act of interfaith solidarity.

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History of this topic

2 dead in Ukraine city of Kherson as Russian soldiers celebrate Orthodox Christmas on front line
11 months, 2 weeks ago

2 dead in Ukraine city of Kherson as Russian soldiers celebrate Orthodox Christmas on front line

LA Times  

Russian Orthodox Archbishop of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk Foma kisses an icon as Russian President Vladimir Putin and the families of fallen military personnel attend an Orthodox Christian service Sunday outside Moscow. Meanwhile, Russian military personnel marked Orthodox Christmas on Sunday, nearly two years after Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Russian soldiers celebrated Orthodox Christmas on the front line …

Orthodox mark Christmas, but the celebration is overshadowed for many by conflict
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Orthodox mark Christmas, but the celebration is overshadowed for many by conflict

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Orthodox Christians packed churches Saturday …

Orthodox Christmas: Why it’s celebrated by some believers 13 days after Dec. 25
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Orthodox Christmas: Why it’s celebrated by some believers 13 days after Dec. 25

Associated Press  

While much of the world has Christmas in the rearview mirror by now, people in some Eastern Orthodox traditions will celebrate the holy day on Sunday. Certain Eastern Orthodox churches, including those in Russian and other traditions, follow the ancient Julian calendar, which runs 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar, used by Catholic and Protestant churches as well as …

Orthodox Christmas: Why it's celebrated by some believers 13 days after Dec. 25
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Orthodox Christmas: Why it's celebrated by some believers 13 days after Dec. 25

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Certain Eastern Orthodox churches, including …

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 …

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 …

In a troubled world, Christians strive to put aside earthly worries on Christmas Eve
1 year ago

In a troubled world, Christians strive to put aside earthly worries on Christmas Eve

Associated Press  

FRANKFURT, Germany — Christians around the world were striving on Christmas Eve to put aside the worries and fears of an unsettled, war-torn world as they prepared to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Before leading Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, Cardinal Timothy Dolan reminded congregants to keep war-torn parts of the Middle East …

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 conflict
1 year, 11 months ago

Orthodox celebrate Christmas in shadow of conflict

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — 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 …

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, …

Ukrainians celebrate Easter in the shadow of war
2 years, 8 months ago

Ukrainians celebrate Easter in the shadow of war

CNN  

Lviv, Ukraine CNN — They’ve endured intense battles, brutal airstrikes and unimaginable loss, but this weekend many Ukrainians will attempt to celebrate one of their most important holidays of the year: Orthodox Easter. “For me, it was extremely important to come back home before Easter,” she says, before sharing her joy over the prospect of the couple’s grandparents meeting the …

No Orthodox Easter truce in Ukraine as Russia continues attacks
2 years, 8 months ago

No Orthodox Easter truce in Ukraine as Russia continues attacks

Al Jazeera  

The war in Ukraine enters its third month on Sunday, the day Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter. Hopes for a weekend truce in Ukraine to celebrate the Orthodox Easter faded with talks between Moscow and Kyiv stalled and Russia intensifying attacks in the east of the country on Saturday. The war in Ukraine enters its third month on Sunday – the …

Orthodox Christians observe Christmas amid virus concerns
2 years, 11 months ago

Orthodox Christians observe Christmas amid virus concerns

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Orthodox Christians in Russia, Serbia and other countries observed Christmas on Friday amid restrictions aimed at dampening the spread of the coronavirus, but few worshipers appeared concerned as they streamed into churches on Christmas Eve. The Russian Orthodox Church, the largest Orthodox congregation, said celebrants needed to wear masks and observe social distancing at Christmas services. In Serbia’s …

Europe coronavirus: Push to rescue Christmas despite sacrifice of other religions
4 years ago

Europe coronavirus: Push to rescue Christmas despite sacrifice of other religions

CNN  

CNN — 2020 has been far from festive, but as the year comes to an end, many of Europe’s governments are scrambling to avoid stringent lockdowns over the Christmas holidays. The UK government on Tuesday unveiled plans to temporarily relax coronavirus restrictions for five days, from December 23 to 27, allowing up to three households to celebrate together in “Christmas …

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