Iryna Voloshyna

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  New date, same traditions: Ukraine's first Christmas on December 25

  Iryna Voloshyna | Mon 25 Dec 2023 10:23 GMT

  Traditionally, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine have celebrated on January 7, in keeping with the Julian calendar that most branches of the Orthodox Church use to determine fixed-day religious celebrations. The decision to switch dates for Christmas and other holidays is one more way to assert Ukraine's cultural and political independence from Russia since Moscow's troops invaded the country in February 2022.