Ukraine has passed legislation moving its official Christmas holiday to December 25, further distancing itself from the traditions of the Putin-aligned Russian Orthodox Church, which celebrates the holiday on January 7.
The new law will effectively formalize what some churches in Ukraine had already begun practicing.
A branch of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine allowed its churches to celebrate Christmas on December 25 last year.
Ukraine’s main Greek Catholic church said in February it was moving to a new calendar to celebrate Christmas on December 25 as well.
In December, the Ukrainian government launched a poll asking citizens whether the date for Christmas should be moved to December 25.
They added that they celebrated Christmas on December 25 last year and felt they would “quickly adapt.”.
The new law will also change the dates of several Ukrainian holidays that are celebrated on the same day as religious festivities. »