Orthodox Christians: Early Christmas in Ukraine

Despite the Russian war of aggression, Ukrainians celebrate Christmas – many of them even on December 25th. They are defying not only the ongoing shelling, but also the Russian Church.

Festive Christmas service in the Mala Tepla Sophia Church in Kyiv: It is cool in the high hall decorated in the Ukrainian style and most of the faithful follow the rite of the richly dressed priests in cloaks, hats and shawls. The church is located on the site of the important 11th-century Saint Sophia Monastery, which has been expanded over the years. A bearded priest waves incense towards the worshipers. Some wear Ukrainian costumes, others close their eyes in devotion.

Orthodox Christians in Ukraine used to celebrate Christmas on January 7, but this year congregations could do so on December 25 if they belong to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This is one of two orthodox churches in the country. The second is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Because of the Russian war of aggression, this has cut itself off from the Moscow Patriarchate, but many still consider it far too close to Russia.

The pensioner Natalya Dvinich also takes part in the service in the Mala Tepla Sophia Church. She has long been for Christmas on December 25th. “We should celebrate on December 25 – as is customary all over Europe, actually all over the world,” she says.

“I’ve respected this date my whole life, because my mother was Catholic and my father was Ukrainian Orthodox,” says Dvinich. “He wasn’t religious, but still. That’s why I always observed these holidays. My late father used to say: Well, I also have a Catholic mother-in-law, then I have a lot of holidays. And I think so too, but I am for December 25.”

The war doesn’t stop

For religious Christians, Christmas is a time of peace, but Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine does not rest. At least ten people were killed by Russian shelling in the heart of the city of Cherson on Christmas Eve. More than 50 were injured, many seriously.

A woman crouches desperately over a dead man. Eyewitness Oleksandr Kudryashov describes the death of a market vendor in disbelief: “He sold meat here and only went on the steps to smoke. There is blood there, we dragged him here, he was dead.”

Cherson is in the south and has been liberated from occupation since mid-November, but on the other side of the Dnipro River the Russian army is shooting indiscriminately at the civilian population.

Christmas concert in the subway station

Meanwhile, the Kiev Opera gave a Christmas concert – for security reasons in a subway station. And on Christmas Day there was once again an hour-long air alert across the country. “No one is indifferent to the war, but we need a little distraction,” says concert-goer Jewegeniya Molchanova. The 47-year-old came with her parents and daughter. “Despite the war, we want to have a little vacation and be happy. We also need positive feelings.”

Christmas was also celebrated in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and the so-called Peace Light of Bethlehem was lit. This service was attended by members of the civil territorial defense and soldiers of the Ukrainian army – like Vasyl Biloys. “I am a son of Ukraine, which has its own long history,” he says. “It is our tradition that as Christians we celebrate Christmas. It doesn’t matter when it is celebrated. It is always a celebration for the family and for the whole people.”

Natalya Dvinich is for Christmas on December 25, but if other Orthodox continue to celebrate the Nativity on January 7, she takes a pragmatic view. “Family is coming on January 7th and then, God willing, we will also celebrate,” she says. “But I’m for December 25th.”