Ukraine is celebrating Christmas on December 25 because it strikes away from a long-standing Russian custom.
Previously Ukraine had celebrated Christmas on January 7 as a result of, like Russia, it makes use of the Julian calendar. But, in an additional shift away from Russia, it’s now marking Christmas in-line with the Western calendar.
Ukraine already makes use of the Gregorian calendar for its on a regular basis life. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky launched the change in July, to let the nation “abandon the Russian heritage”.
According to the BBC, Zelensky stated Ukraine is now “collectively” as he addressed the nation on Sunday. He stated: “We all have a good time Christmas collectively. On the identical date, as one massive household, as one nation, as one united nation.”
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) – a church created 4 years in the past – has additionally modified its Christmas date to December 25. The church was fashioned as a breakaway from the Russian Orthodox church after Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014.
To mark the brand new Christmas Day, individuals in Ukraine lit candles on Sunday. While youngsters in Lviv wearing conventional costumes, sang carols, and took half in festive processions on the street.
A tree was additionally embellished in Kyiv’s Independence Square. While tens of millions of individuals have joined the OCU, the Russian-linked Ukranian Orthodox Church (UOC) nonetheless has its personal legions of supporters.
They will proceed to look at Christmas on January 7. The BBC says UOC leaders say they cut up from Russia in 2022 over the invasion of Ukraine – many individuals nevertheless stay sceptical.
