The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has impacted every aspect of life for Ukrainians, even the date they celebrate Christmas. What hasn’t changed is the tradition of serving 12 dishes on Christmas Eve, known as Svyata Vecherya or the Holy Supper. Earlier this year, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine officially switched to the revised Julian calendar which celebrates Christmas on December 25th along with most Orthodox churches and Roman Catholics.
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Composed during World War I, “Shchedryk” folk song has survived the Nazi, communist, and now commercial eras to remind and revive the ties of hearth and home.
Breaking with tradition, local Orthodox leadership grants the faithful its blessing to move celebrations from January 7 to December 25, continuing separation from Russia.