Old New Christmas Day

Why we are celebrating Christmas on 25 December in Ukraine for the first time in 100 years

Since I was a child, we have always celebrated Christmas on 7 January, following the Julian calendar. So I used to congratulate my foreign friends on 25 December and then wait two weeks to celebrate Christmas. For those, who were fasting, the New Year celebration was an exception and after that, the fasting continued. Overall, it seemed odd.

But has it always been like that? And why in 2023 most Ukrainians are celebrating Christmas on 25 December?

In September 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church switched to the New Julian calendar. A little earlier, 25 December became an official state holiday in Ukraine.

Which wasn’t a novelty, but rather the opposite — going back to the old tradition of celebrating Christmas.

Before 1918, Ukrainians were celebrating Christmas on 25 December, which is confirmed by written evidence and old calendars. When the Ukrainian People’s Republic was created in 1917, it chose to follow the Gregorian calendar. However, since the Soviet Union appeared, the 7 January became the date for celebrating Christmas, although New Year was still set on 1 January.

The Soviets tried to erase everything connected to religion, so many traditions faded. The New Year holiday was put on a pedestal — it was always followed by large celebrations, sharing presents, and having huge feasts, which of course included Olivier salad (known to many of you as Russian salad) and red caviar sandwiches. It was turned into the most important holiday.

Sometimes you only realise traditions matter a lot to you when someone tries to erase them again and again. So now everything I know and follow about celebrating Ukrainian Christmas has become even more important to me. Like having 12 meatless dishes on the table (symbolising 12 apostles) on Christmas Eve, which should always include kutya (grain dish with poppy seeds, nuts, raisins, and honey) and uzvar (a hot beverage made of dried fruits and berries). Putting a didukh decoration, which is made from a sheaf of wheat. Singing Ukrainian Christmas carols and vertep tradition (portable puppet theatre or play that represents the nativity scene).

In modern Russia, however, religion and holidays are entwined with politics and propaganda, so celebrating Christmas on 25 December is an act of cutting ties with a country that invaded Ukraine.

Most Ukrainians support this change — 60% stated that this year they will be celebrating with most of the world. Even if for many people that means having Christmas Eve dinner far from their own destroyed or nearly destroyed homes or having their loved ones fighting on the front lines instead of sitting at the family table — this holiday is still filled with light, hope for a better future, ove to traditions and making time for the closest people.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! May your hearts be filled with joy, love, hope, and peace.