Ukrainians celebrate Christmas to forge independence from Russian traditions
Ukraine has disclosed a plan to mark Christmas Day on December 25 for the first time, breaking away from the traditional January 7 date observed by the Orthodox Church, in a deliberate divergence from Russian influence.
The government, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, enacted this change in July through a law, signaling a decisive step towards embracing a distinct national identity.
The legislation reflects the desire of Ukrainians to “live their own life with their own traditions and holidays,” providing an opportunity to discard the Russian heritage of celebrating Christmas on January 7.
This shift is part of a broader initiative to erase remnants of Russian and Soviet dominance post the invasion, including renaming streets and removing monuments.
Ukraine, a predominantly Christian nation with the Russian Orthodox Church historically holding sway, has witnessed significant transformations.
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, established in 2019 after breaking away from the Russian Orthodox Church, has also adopted the December 25 Christmas date.
The rift between the two churches originated from Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
In response to geopolitical tensions, the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine has experienced rapid growth, supported by the government, leading to the takeover of several Russia-linked church buildings.
Meanwhile, the historically Russia-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church persists in celebrating Christmas on January 7, raising skepticism among many Ukrainians about its claimed independence.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the third Orthodox denomination in the country, aligns with the December 25 celebration.
This divergence from the traditional January 7 date marks a significant departure from historical norms, emphasizing a pursuit of a distinct national and religious identity.
Ukraine’s historical ties to Moscow’s spiritual leadership, dating back to at least the 17th century, are undergoing a profound shift as the nation asserts its autonomy.
The Soviet era, marked by atheism, had Christmas traditions relegated to New Year’s Eve, which remains the main holiday for many families in Ukraine.
As Ukrainians embrace this historic change, Christmas traditions include a festive dinner on Christmas Eve featuring 12 meatless dishes, including the traditional sweet grain pudding called kutya.
Homes are adorned with elaborate sheaves of wheat known as didukhy, and in some regions, children engage in caroling called kolyadky and perform nativity scenes, adding a unique and vibrant cultural touch to the newly established December 25 celebration.
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