Christmas Celebrations: Traditions and Changes in Ukraine
On Thursday, December 25, Ukraine celebrates Christmas, a symbol of hope and renewal.
This is one of the most significant holidays in the Christian tradition, commemorating the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. Christmas has become a national holiday in many countries around the world.
According to biblical accounts, the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ in Bethlehem during a census. As the city was overcrowded, Mary and Joseph had to seek shelter in a stable, where the Savior was born. A star shone in the sky, guiding wise men from afar who brought gifts for the newborn Jesus. Every year, Christians gather for solemn services to honor this event.
On Christmas Eve, preceding the holiday, Christians celebrate the end of fasting. Traditionally, the festive dinner begins with the appearance of the first evening star. A lit candle and 12 meatless dishes are typically placed on the table, and it is customary to taste each dish. The main dish is kutya.
On this evening, families come together and sing carols. Christmas morning starts with the traditional greeting: “Christ is born!”, to which the response is: “Glorify Him!”.
This year, Ukraine officially celebrates Christmas on December 25 for the third time. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church switched to the New Julian calendar on September 1, 2023, which means that most church holidays are celebrated 13 days earlier than under the Julian calendar.
The New Julian calendar is now used by the majority of Orthodox churches worldwide, including the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Meanwhile, the Julian calendar is still observed by the Russian, Serbian, Georgian, and Jerusalem Orthodox churches. Some believers in Ukraine will continue to celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar on January 7.
In July 2023, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law establishing December 25 as the official date for celebrating Christmas, while January 7 is no longer a public holiday.
