In break from Russian religious leaders, some Ukrainians embrace Christmas in December
- Some Ukrainian churches are observing Christmas on December 25 and not January 7, as is customary in Orthodox Christianity
- Ukraine had been under Moscow’s spiritual leadership since at least the 17th century, but part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church broke with Moscow in 2019
Church bells and chanting rang throughout Ukraine’s capital as Orthodox Christians attended Christmas services on Sunday, a defiant break from Russian religious leaders who will mark the holiday in two weeks.
The decision by some Ukrainian churches to observe Christmas on December 25 and not January 7, as is customary in Orthodox Christianity, highlights the rift between church officials in Kyiv and Moscow that has deepened with the ongoing war.
Worshipper Olga Stanko told AFP on Sunday she supported any move that would distance Ukraine from Russia – and said she believed shifting the Christmas date was overdue.
“We forgot that they were our enemies, we were so gullible. And now a war has come to us, a calamity.”
An Interfax-Ukraine poll showed that, like her, nearly half of Ukrainians are in favour of moving the holy day, up from 26 per cent in 2021 – though 31 per cent were still against it.
Ukraine had been under Moscow’s spiritual leadership since at least the 17th century, but part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church broke with Moscow in 2019 over Russia’s annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in the east.