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Zelensky brings Christmas Day forward so Ukraine aligns with the West

War with Russia prompts change from January 7 to December 25
Lianne Kolirin
The Times
Villagers near Kyiv were among Ukrainians celebrating Christmas Day on December 25 for the first time after changing from the Russian traditional date of January 7
Villagers near Kyiv were among Ukrainians celebrating Christmas Day on December 25 for the first time after changing from the Russian traditional date of January 7
SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Lianne Kolirin
The Times

Orthodox Christians in Ukraine celebrated Christmas on December 25 for the first time after ­aligning with western calendars in a snub to Russia.

The festival is traditionally celebrated on January 7 but the war with Russia prompted President Zelensky to legally bring celebrations forward in Ukraine this year.

Most eastern churches ­follow the Julian calendar celebrating Christmas in the new year, while the western equivalent is marked on December 25, according to the Gregorian calendar.

Carols were sung in Kyiv’s underground metro stations and on trains
Carols were sung in Kyiv’s underground metro stations and on trains
VALENTYN OGIRENKO/REUTERS
VALENTYN OGIRENKO/REUTERS

It was back in July that Zelensky signed a law that would move the ­occasion forward, saying that the move would allow his compatriots to “abandon the Russian heritage of ­imposing Christmas celebrations on January 7”.

“All Ukrainians are together,” Zelensky said in his Christmas message, which was released