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Worshippers have celebrated Orthodox Christmas Day, following the ancient Julian calendar which marks the occasion 13 days after the western Gregorian calendar. But with two wars waging, the mood has been sombre for many this year, with some traditions skipped and celebrations subdued.

For the first time in Ukraine’s history, the date for celebrating Christmas has been changed from 7 January. This follows the Ukrainian parliament’s announcement earlier his year to move away from the Russian Orthodox Church tradition.