Ukraine Moves Official Christmas Holiday to December 25
Ukraine has recently passed legislation that changes its official Christmas holiday to December 25. This move further distances the country from the traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church, which celebrates Christmas on January 7. The bill was approved by Ukraine’s parliament and signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Abandoning Russian Heritage
The sponsors of the legislation believe that this change will help Ukraine “abandon the Russian heritage of imposing the celebration of Christmas on January 7.” They believe that Ukrainians should have the freedom to live their own lives with their own traditions and holidays.
Divide between Ukraine and Russia
Both Ukraine and Russia are majority Orthodox countries, but the conflict between them has caused a divide within the Orthodox community in Ukraine. Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region have led many Ukrainians to distance themselves from Moscow.
Popular Decision
The decision to move the Christmas holiday to December 25 appears to be popular among Ukrainians. In a poll conducted by the Ukrainian government, nearly 59% of the more than 1.5 million people who voted supported the change.
Support for the Change
Many Ukrainians, such as Alla and Oksana, two teachers from the Zaporizhzhia region, support the decision to change the date. They celebrated Christmas on December 25 last year and feel that they will quickly adapt to the new tradition. Vitalina and Pavlo, a couple from Lviv, also support the change and believe that celebrating on December 25 is more in line with how Europe celebrates.
Symbolic Value
For Tetyana, an Orthodox Christian from Kyiv, the date itself is not important. However, she is ready to support the change because of its symbolic value. She believes that celebrating on December 25 is a sign of statehood and supports her country and its president.
Additional Changes
In addition to changing the Christmas holiday, the new law will also alter the dates of several Ukrainian holidays. The Day of Ukrainian Statehood, which is the country’s independence day, will move from July 28 to July 15. The Day of Defenders of Ukraine, a day to honor veterans and war dead, will be celebrated on October 1 instead of October 14.
Moving Towards Europe
Overall, the decision to change the date of the Christmas holiday reflects Ukraine’s desire to distance itself from Russian influence and align more closely with European traditions. Ukrainians see this change as a step towards becoming a civilized European country.
By making this change, Ukraine is asserting its independence and embracing its own traditions and holidays. The move is supported by a majority of Ukrainians and is seen as a symbol of the country’s statehood.
Ukraine Breaks Tradition, Moves Christmas to December 25
In a bold move that has sparked both celebration and controversy, Ukraine has decided to break with centuries-old tradition and officially move its Christmas celebration to December 25th. This decision, made by the Ukrainian government, marks a significant departure from the Orthodox Christian tradition of celebrating Christmas on January 7th.
For centuries, Ukraine has followed the Julian calendar, which is approximately 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used by most of the Western world. As a result, Ukrainians have traditionally celebrated Christmas on January 7th, in accordance with the Orthodox Christian faith. However, this year, the Ukrainian government has decided to align its Christmas celebration with the majority of the world, shifting it to December 25th.
The decision to move Christmas to December 25th has been met with mixed reactions from the Ukrainian population. Supporters argue that this change will bring Ukraine closer to the global community and facilitate cultural exchange with Western countries. They believe that celebrating Christmas on the same day as the majority of the world will foster unity and understanding among nations.
Furthermore, proponents of the change argue that it will have economic benefits for Ukraine. By aligning its Christmas celebration with the rest of the world, Ukraine hopes to attract more tourists during the holiday season. This move is seen as an opportunity to showcase Ukrainian traditions and culture to a wider audience, potentially boosting the country’s tourism industry.
However, not everyone is pleased with this decision. Critics argue that moving Christmas to December 25th undermines Ukraine’s cultural heritage and religious traditions. They believe that the country should preserve its unique identity and adhere to the Orthodox Christian calendar. For them, celebrating Christmas on January 7th is an integral part of Ukrainian culture and should not be abandoned.
The Ukrainian government has defended its decision, stating that it aims to strike a balance between tradition and modernity. It acknowledges the importance of preserving cultural heritage while also recognizing the need to adapt to a changing world. The government believes that moving Christmas to December 25th will not erase Ukrainian traditions but rather enhance them by embracing global diversity.
To ease the transition, the Ukrainian government has implemented a gradual approach. In the first year, both December 25th and January 7th will be recognized as official holidays, allowing Ukrainians to choose which date to celebrate. This compromise aims to respect the wishes of those who still wish to adhere to the traditional January 7th celebration.
As Ukraine breaks with tradition and moves its Christmas celebration to December 25th, the country finds itself at a crossroads between preserving its cultural heritage and embracing global norms. While the decision has sparked both celebration and controversy, only time will tell how this change will shape Ukraine’s cultural landscape in the years to come.
