Many Ukrainian Orthodox Christians are preparing to celebrate Christmas on 25 December for the first time this year.
Ukraine has traditionally used the Julian calendar, also used by Russia, where Christmas falls on Jan. 07.
In a further shift from Russia, it is now marking Christmas according to the Western – or Gregorian – calendar, which it uses in everyday life.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky changed the law in July, saying it allowed Ukrainians to “abandon the Russian heritage” of celebrating Christmas in January.
In a Christmas message issued on Sunday evening, Mr Zelensky said all Ukrainians were now together.
“We all celebrate Christmas together. On the same date, as one big family, as one nation, as one united country.”
(BBC News)
