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.
Quick Read
- Ukraine Celebrates Christmas on December 25th: Ukraine marked Christmas as a public holiday on December 25th for the first time, a change enacted through legislation signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This shift from the traditional Orthodox Christian date of January 7th, followed in Russia, reflects Ukraine’s growing desire to assert its national identity separate from Russia, especially in light of the ongoing conflict.
- Significance of the Date Change: The new celebration date is seen as a step away from Russian influence and a movement towards aligning with Western Christian traditions. This change is symbolic of Ukraine’s efforts to differentiate itself from Russia amidst the ongoing invasion.
- Orthodox Church in Ukraine: Ukraine’s Orthodox Christian community is divided between two main churches. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, independent of the Russian church, received full recognition in 2019. In contrast, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, historically linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, declared autonomy in 2022 but continues to observe the traditional January 7th Christmas date.
- Public Response to the New Christmas Date: Many Ukrainians enthusiastically embraced the new Christmas date, viewing it as a restoration of historical justice and an important aspect of their national and cultural identity. Celebrations in Kyiv at the Pyrohiv Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine highlighted this sentiment.
- Impact of the War on Christmas Celebrations: The ongoing war with Russia has cast a shadow over the Christmas celebrations, with many Ukrainians hoping for victory and peace. The sentiment is particularly poignant among families with members in the military, who see the celebration as subdued but are hopeful for a future victory.
The Associated Press has the story:
Ukraine celebrates Christmas on Dec. 25 for 1st time, distancing itself from Russia
Newslooks- KYIV, Ukraine (AP)
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 change, enacted in legislation signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July, reflects both Ukrainians’ dismay with the 22-month-old Russian invasion and their assertion of a national identity.
Ukraine is predominantly Orthodox Christian, but the faith is divided between two churches, one of which had long affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church.
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 Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Orthodoxy’s top authority.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which was a branch of the Russian church, announced in 2022 after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war that it was breaking ties with Moscow and considered itself autonomous. However, its parishes continue to follow the same liturgical calendar as the Russian church and will observe Christmas on Jan. 7.
Many Ukrainians embraced the move to celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25 with enthusiasm.
“It’s historical justice,” said Yevhen Konyk, a 44-year-old serviceman who, along with his family, participated in traditional celebrations at an open-air museum in Kyiv. “We need to move forward not only with the world but also with the traditions of our country and overcome the imperial remnants we had.”
Oksana Poviakel, the director of the Pyrohiv Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine, where the celebrations of Christmas took place, said that celebrating on Dec. 25 is “another important factor of self-identification.”
“We are separating ourselves from the neighbor who is currently trying to destroy our state, who is killing our people, destroying our homes, and burning our land,” she said.
Asia Landarenko, 63, said she prays every day for her son, who is currently in the military. “The state of war affects everything, including the mood. The real celebration of Christmas will be after the victory, but as the Savior was born, so will be our victory,” she said.
