Ukraine Celebrates Christmas On December 25 For First Time, Details Emerge
- Ukraine for the first time celebrated Christmas on December 25 after breaking away from Russian tradition
- The East European country used to mark Christmas on January 7 according to the Julian calendar of the Russians
- President Volodymyr Zelensky said the new date allows Ukrainians to "abandon the Russian heritage" of celebrating Christmas in January.
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering metro and government policy
Ukraine, Kyiv - Christians in Ukraine have joined the rest of the world to celebrate Christmas on Monday, December 25 for the first time.
Before today’s celebration, Ukraine celebrated Christmas on 7 January because it used the Julian calendar, also used by Russia, BBC News reported.
Source: Twitter
Celebrating Christmas on December 25 according to the Gregorian calendar, which it uses in everyday life is a further shift from Russia and its practice.
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!
President Volodymyr Zelensky changed the law in July, allowing Ukrainians to "abandon the Russian heritage" of celebrating Christmas in January.
In his Christmas message on Sunday evening, December 24, Zelensky said all Ukrainians now celebrate Christmas together.
"We all celebrate Christmas together. On the same date, as one big family, as one nation, as one united country."
A couple Lesia Shestakova, a Catholic, and Oleksandr Shestakov, Orthodox, are celebrating Christmas together. They attended the Sunday morning service at the Catholic cathedral in the capital Kyiv.
Before this year’s celebration, the couple used to mark Christmas twice, with their respective parents.
Lesia told Reuters news agency that:
"There is finally a day in Ukraine which my husband and I can spend together in the cathedral and thank God that we are together, alive and in good health,"
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which held its first service in 2019, has also changed its Christmas date to 25 December.
The OCU formally broke away from the Russian Orthodox Church over Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
US to target banks that help Russia's war in Ukraine
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the United States said it will sanction foreign banks that support Russia's war in Ukraine, in a new bid to exert economic pressure on Moscow as it diversifies from the West to China.
Under an executive order to be signed Friday by President Joe Biden, the United States would be authorized to issue so-called secondary sanctions against financial institutions that support Russia's defence industry, officials said.
Peter Obi Sends Christmas Message To Nigerians
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, urged Nigerians not to allow the current setbacks to stop them from overcoming present difficulties.
Obi admonished fellow countrymen and women to realize the nation’s full potential. He urged Nigerians to use the Christmas season to offer special supplications to God for the nation.
Tinubu sends Christmas message to Nigerians
Legit.ng also reported that President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, December 24, assured Nigerians in his Christmas message that his administration will implement more palliative measures to alleviate the impact of economic reforms, including the discontinuation of petrol subsidy and exchange rate unification.
The Nigerian leader pledged to lead the country toward "irreversible progress" and acknowledged the sacrifices citizens have made during the past six months of transformative changes. Tinubu urged people to embrace kindness during the festive season and remember the armed forces in their prayers. He concluded by wishing everyone a merry Christmas and hoping for a prosperous new year.
PAY ATTENTION: Donate to Legit Charity on Patreon. Your support matters!
Source: Legit.ng
