In Kiev, in the oldest building on the territory of the Golden-Domed Monastery of St. Michael – the Church of St. John – the Orthodox gathered on Sunday morning to participate in the Christmas service – for the first time on December 25th.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate has decided that the time has come to start the path towards symbolic changes to further distance itself from the aggressor state.
Moments after the start of the service, air raid sirens are howling in Kiev. The air raid warning continued throughout the service.
“More than 30 years ago we freed ourselves from the slavery of many centuries. We threw off the yoke, became independent, established a sovereign state. Those who had held us captive could not tolerate our success. Malice and diabolical madness drove them to start a war. But they are doomed to defeat. . Because the truth is on our side. But where there is truth, there is God, and with God we will win”, says the priest of the Orthodox Church Ukraine, Father Mihailo.
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
After the service, Father Mihailo is in a good mood. He points out that the Christmas date reform will be gradual and could be a matter of years. Therefore, at the moment, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate has established two dates of celebration according to a free choice: both December 25 and January 7.
“First of all, we need to understand the mood of society, whether believers are ready to celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25. We know from the Gospel that there is no exact date of birth. We do not celebrate the birthday itself as the birthday of one person, but we celebrate the event of the birth of Christ, so we can celebrate the event on both the 25th and the 7th. However, it is very important that the nation is united and that the calendar reform is a wise and balanced decision”, says Father Mihailo.
In Ukraine, however, a growing number of Orthodox Christians want to celebrate Christmas Eve on December 24 and Christmas on December 25, like most Christians in the world.
Among the faithful gathered, there were those who stressed that they had wanted it since 2014, expressing their joy that this moment has finally arrived.
“This is truly a historic moment. It is very important, it is important for me,” admits Margarita.
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
Photo: Gints Amoliņš/LTV
“We have been celebrating January 7 for a long time. But it was an imposed date. Personally, it seems to me very logical to wait and celebrate the birth of Christ on December 24. Therefore, I am very happy that there is such a turning point, a smooth transition” , said Natalia.
“My friends, acquaintances, work colleagues all celebrate today. Therefore, most conscientious Ukrainians are already ready for this. Of course, there will be people who will still celebrate January 7. But I think it’s just a matter of time “Just a transitional period. We are so happy, so happy that we celebrate Christmas today,” says Natalia.
Father Mihailo says that according to polls, 44% of Orthodox Christians in Ukraine are ready to celebrate Christmas on December 25 this year. However, most will still be doing it on January 7th. Information will now be collected on how many parishes and how many people attended the Christmas service today.
The Kiev Patriarchate will gradually take further steps, emphasizing that Christmas should ultimately unite, not divide.
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