Ignoring Russia amid the war, Ukraine decided to celebrate Christmas on December 25 for the first time in 106 years. Earlier, Christmas was celebrated on January 7 based on the Julian calendar. According to reports, to end Russia's dominance, Ukraine decided to celebrate Christmas on December 25 for the first time. This is being considered a big cultural change.

Indeed, most Eastern Christian churches use the Julian calendar. According to this, Christmas falls on 7 January. Most Orthodox Christians in Ukraine reportedly celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, insulting Russia. “All Ukrainians are united,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Christmas message released Sunday evening. As one big family, nation and united country we celebrate Christmas together on the same date.

In the southern Black Sea port of Odessa, churchgoers prayed and lit candles. Priests dressed in gold robes performed ecclesiastical rituals on Christmas Eve in the Cathedral of the Nativity. The church was decorated with a Christmas tree and tableaus of events related to the birth of Jesus Christ.

"We believe that we should really celebrate Christmas with the whole world," said parishioner Olena, the mother of a doctor in Ukraine. Regarding Russia's dominance, he said that Ukraine, far away from Moscow, has now given a new message to the whole world. According to AFP report, Olena said, 'We really want to celebrate in a new way. There is a simultaneous holiday throughout Ukraine. This is very important for us.

'Beginning to abandon Russian heritage'

Most Eastern Christian churches use the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar. Under this, the tradition of celebrating Christmas on 7 January was going on for the last 106 years (since 1917). However, President Zelensky made a historic change by signing a law in July. For the first time, Christmas was celebrated on 25 December.

According to a government order, Ukraine is beginning to abandon the Russian heritage of celebrating Christmas on December 25 instead of January 7. It is also being considered a big and concrete step towards erasing the traces associated with the Russian and Soviet empire. The names of roads are also being changed. Many monuments have also been removed.

It is noteworthy that in 2014, Moscow occupied Crimea. After this, the issue of support for separatists in eastern Ukraine came to light. After this the Ukrainian Orthodox Church formally separated from the Russian Orthodox Church.