Ukraine celebrates Christmas on 25 December for first time – BBC News

For the first time in more than a hundred years Ukraine will Mark Christmas today instead of in January it’s a way of the country cutting ties with Russia which celebrates according to the Orthodox calendar well let’s show you these live pictures from St Michael’s cathedral in keev as we were

Saying for the first time Believers of different religious denominations will be celebrating Christmas on the same day as you can see there it’s just one of a number of services being held on this day across Ross Ukraine as ukrainians Mark a second Christmas War president zalinski said

He’s praying for victory and for evil to be defeated his holiday address came after American politicians were unable to agree on military aid worth almost 50 billion pounds for ke here’s our Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse who’s reporting from the city of kupiansk near the eastern border which was occupied

For 6 months after Russia’s fullscale Invasion and comes under almost daily attack Christmas in kupiansk is a celebration in Ney children were evacuated from this Frontline City and only 5,000 people remain it used to be five times that days are punctuated with artillery shells and Sirens like continues for those who’ve

Stayed but it’s a tense existence we all leave in fear of death when we go to work we don’t know what can happen whether Russia will strike with rockets we all leap on the edge we don’t know whether we’ll come back home alive 17-year-old Sophia has lived through both occupation and Liberation

Her dad is fighting and she’s not impressed with her country’s fate being determined by skeptical Western politicians perhaps they should come here and see for themselves what the situation is like and how much the aid is needed if there’s no help for Ukraine now Russia will take its aggression

Further the Russians are 8 kilometers to the east of the city but what Ukraine’s military is worried about is them pushing once more up to the oscill river before making another push and that is the point Kev is trying to make if Western support was to further slow down

Then Russia won’t stop there it still wants the whole of Ukraine the briefest of pauses for a Christmas prayer large Gatherings are dangerous here when Russian drones loiter above instead of these troops forcing out their Invaders it is them repelling constant attacks it’s day and night there are no breaks it’s 24/7 you have more targets so we need more

Shells they throw lots of men and Machinery into battle they don’t pity anything it’s hard to sell a victory which seems distant Ukraine’s struggle to contain Western doubt has left it with a new year looking far from certain James wter BBC News well the Ukrainian Capital ke isn’t

Very far from the front line where the country’s soldiers are fighting Russian troops so how does it feel to celebrate Christmas under the constant shadow of War well James who you saw just there send us his Impressions it is the first time in more than a 100 years that

Ukraine celebrates Christmas on the 25th of December but it’s a very difficult time we’re not seeing much in the way of festivities in in this part of Ukraine large Gatherings are a rare occurrence this is somewhere that comes under uh frequent assault from the sky it’s 40 mi

From the Russian border but president zilinski was Keen to strike an optimistic a hopeful tone in his Christmas address where he said he would pray for a Ukrainian Victory and in his words for evil to be defeated he talk of previous struggles Ukraine has gone through whether it was under the Soviet

Union or uh through Nazi Germany and he’s drawing direct parallels but I think these are incredibly difficult times 12 months ago his military had liberated SES of territory throughout the Autumn there was a belief that Ukraine wouldn’t stop there and a belief that Ukraine can still win this War I

Think that belief is enduring but there is a a pragmatism starting to creep into because the last 12 months has seen Ukraine’s counter offensive but it’s also uh seen seen Russia not only hold on to the fifth of Ukraine that it has taken and occupied but it’s also shown

Russia can defend it too and this is a a war which favors the defender in a way and I think when when Ukraine is still the smaller uh boxer in this fight if you like it’s got fewer men it has fewer resources than Russia Russia is now

Starting to make its size count we are in a war of attrition we’ve seen dozens of drones shot down again overnight that’s now uh part of a regular routine in Ukraine and we are seeing Ukraine repelling wave after wave of Russian attack in some parts of the front line

We’re even seeing it scale down its military operations in others because the waning Western support isn’t just putting uh Ukraine’s future military hopes into Jeopardy it’s affecting them right now and we’ve heard Western governments say we’re in it for as long as it takes for Ukraine we can’t allow

Russia to win but there’s a political reality setting in whether it’s opposition MP whether it’s a new government uh that doesn’t want to provide new support for Ukraine and the argument here is is that that is what Russia has been waiting for any kind of peace deal or negotiation

Suits Vladimir Putin because it lessens that urgency on Western support to continue and it allows Russia to continue being on a war footing so it can make a push Ukraine argues in the coming months or even years for Kiev once more

Ukraine has celebrated Christmas on 25 December for the first time this year.

The country has traditionally used the Julian calendar, also used by Russia, where Christmas falls on 7 January.

In a further shift from Russia, it is now marking Christmas according to the Western – or Gregorian – calendar, which it uses in everyday life.

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46 comments

  4. Ukraine celebrates Christmas on 25 December for first and last time
    Their entire identity is based off of hate for everything Russian, including selebrations. Ukraine is in its final agony.

  5. Look..we get it..Ukraine is alone fighting against authoritarianism that could possibly force Europe and the US into a war to stop Putin. You have your under, as a westerner I want to help but I’m down to 20 streaming services from 50 and i have a daily Frappuccino habit to support. You have my thoughts and prayers.

  8. I'm Ukrainian and it's very sad to look at those bunch of Ukrainians who refused our tradition to please the Europe. 😢 Our 🇺🇦traditional Christmas is on the 7th January, and we celebrate the Victory day on the 9th May, not the 8th! It's a tradgedy that the 🇺🇸politicians rudely intruded into Ukraine's business in 2014, organized the armed coup, splitted Ukrainians and triggered the war. I know many families and ex-friends from Ukraine who splitted and stopped speaking to each other over different politician view after the coup. The 🇺🇸 and their allies brought too much damage to Ukraine!

  13. For centuries Great Britain tryed to control native people with common religion. Colonisation of America, colonisation of Africa, colonisation of Ukraine. Missionaries played important role in controlling the minds of natives. Nothing changes.

  17. Прежде всего, это разрыв связей внутри Украины. В Украине насчитывается около 50-60% православных христиан. Это притеснение православных.

  18. Erasing your cultural heritage just because you share it with your enemy is not a positive thing to do. Ukrainians and Russians can not escape their historical ties no matter how much they hate eachother. In your efforts towards victory both on the battlefield and in your minds, be careful what parts of yourselves you sell out. You might not recognise the nation that comes out the other side.

  19. When Jesus pbuh returns I think he will be very upset with christians because they have no unity and murdering each other nowadays . Russians are christians, they suppose to love their christian brothers in Ukraine not murdering them .

  21. "The soldiers of the fifth brigade of the first Army Corps made a significant contribution to the liberation of the city during the offensive, and especially the soldiers of the legendary 150th Infantry Division. The orders of Kutuzov and the Idritsko-Berlin Division especially distinguished themselves." The soldiers of this division hoisted the Victory Banner over the Reichstag in 1945.

  24. But the rest of the Eastern Orthodox church still celebrate Christmas in January based on Julian calendar and it's not just Russia. Proof that Ukraine culture is founded on political agenda rather than actual history and tradition. 😅

  26. Ông zelensky này là một tay sai đấu tranh không phải vì đất nước người dân mình mà là vì chư hầu và Mỹ mà lúc nào cũng tỏ vẻ mình là anh hùng dân tộc râu ria bồm sồm không giống ai cả

  27. If they used to believe Jesus was born in January 7. How it come now they believe he was born in December 25. Politician are messed up and now they messing up Ukraine Orthodox Curch.

  29. Merry Christmas to you Ukrainian people. I love you and adore your legendary country.
    You're courageous and are the example for all people, countries, societies who are suffering under other's power. May the new-born Christ bring you peace and especially victory!

  31. "Ukraine celebrates Christmas on 25 December for first time" – I thought they were a Christian country why does it take an invasion from Russia to start celebrating Xmas for the first time?

  32. (Daniel 9:27 was fulfilled on August 13 2023 also when the woman began travailing in birth to fulfill the time of the gentiles for the mystery of Revelation 12 to be completed, Daniel 12:1 next, three riders released within 2020 and 2023. These words are true and worthy, he who has ears to hear let him hear, blessed is he who understands.)

    “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

    Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, verse 3.

    “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”

    Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, verse 8 to 11.

    “All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”

    Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, verse 8 to 10.

    “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

    Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, verse 25 to 28.

    “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

    Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 16 to 18.

    “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

    First Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 3 to 6.

    “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”

    Acts, chapter 8, verse 22.

    “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

    Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 3.

    “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

    Gospel of Matthew, chapter 4, verse 17.

    “After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.”

    Hosea, chapter 6, verse 2.

    “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

    Second Peter, chapter 3, verse 8.

    “knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

    Second Peter, chapter 3, verse 3 to 4.

    “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

    First Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 3.

    “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

    First Thessalonians, chapter 4, verse 16 to 17.

    “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

    First Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 52.

    “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

    Gospel of Luke, chapter 17, verse 34 to 36.

    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

  33. The US is making a big foreign policy mistake. It is supporting Israel in a war which it could carry on it's own. And it is withholding support for Ukraine in a war it could not afford to wage on it's own. ~It should have been the other way around.

  42. Jews and Christians have a lot of money and live luxurious lives with their minds but there is no peace in their lives. [ ❤Allah has placed peace and success only in Islam ❤ ]

  46. Всім англомовним жителям Землі – добрий день! Я українка і проживаю в Україні. Хочу уточнити: Православна церква розділилась після проголошення незалежності України 24 серпня 1991. Чому і як? А ось як: деякі політики подумали: якщо ми відтепер незалежні, то і церква теж має бути не залежною від Російської. І на той час Леонід Кравчук (президент України) назначив Філарета бути митрополитом України (а не священний синод, який являється канонічним). Хіба чиновники мають обирати священників на керуючі посади? – Ні! Ні! Ні! Отже ця частина людей, яка погодилася на це стала називатися Православною Церквою України (ПЦУ) і одразу повідбирали деякі храми парафіян Української Православної Церкви (яка лишилася канонічною). Також ПЦУ у відібраних храмах змінили богослужбову церковно-слов'янську мову на українську, а з початку вторгнення з війною Росії в Україну вирішили змінити богослужбовий календар церковних свят (Тобто перейшли на Грегоріанський календар, але головні рухомі свята: Пасху і Святу Трійцю залишили вираховувати по старому). А ще ПЦУ продовжують відбирати канонічні храми у своїх співвітчизників. І роблять це жорстоко і агресивно з бійками, погрозами, образами…

    А інші українці, які лишилися вірними стародавній традиції з часів Хрещення Київської Русі (28 липня 1088 рік) страждають і терплять це беззаконня! Таких українців є понад 5 мільйонів осіб!

    Любі друзі, не вірте нашому президенту Володимиру Зеленському! Він знищує етнічну Україну!!!

    Отже: святкувати Різдво Христове 25 грудня – це не канонічно, не правильно, гріх! Православні християни мають святкувати 7січня!!!

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