December 25 or January 7: When will Ukrainians celebrate Christmas? A survey reveals the preferences (video).

After the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church switched to the New Julian calendar in July 2023, the dates of religious holidays in Ukraine have changed. In 2024, Ukrainian Orthodox Christians will celebrate Christmas on December 25 for the second time. The publication NV conducted a survey to find out whether Ukrainians have adopted the new calendar or will continue to celebrate Christmas on January 7.

"This year we will celebrate Christmas on December 25, in a new way. We want to move a bit away from the Soviet past and lean more towards Europe. I believe most people will celebrate it this way, so I don't see any issue with changing the date," said one of the surveyed Ukrainian women.

A Canadian who married a Ukrainian and moved to Ukraine shared that his wife has always celebrated Christmas on January 7. However, this year, the couple will celebrate the holiday on December 25.

"Yesterday we went to look for a Christmas tree, and today we will pick it up and decorate it. Besides that — delicious Ukrainian food. And of course, gifts. We give gifts on December 25 from Santa. I don't know if you celebrate Saint Nicholas in Ukraine, but it is very important in Canada," said the foreigner.

Many respondents stated that they would celebrate Christmas in the new way, primarily to separate themselves from Russians who continue to mark it on January 7.

"People used to celebrate like this before. I remember my grandmother telling me stories. That’s why we decided to keep up with the times. Now, especially, we want to disconnect from our 'neighbor'," explained one of the surveyed pedestrians.

Some respondents mentioned that they would continue to celebrate Christmas on the old date because it is a well-established family tradition.

"I will celebrate from January 6 to 7. It has become a tradition for us to travel somewhere and spend time with family. Most often we celebrate together, or we go, for example, to the sauna to relax," responded one of the participants to the journalists' questions.

Additionally, some of the respondents suggested that for now, Ukrainians might celebrate both dates: according to the old and the new calendar.

"In my opinion, people will celebrate both on the 25th and the 7th because they are looking for some positivity, and they find it in these holidays. Over time, it will transform, and we will celebrate on the 25th. I think we shouldn't be afraid to identify ourselves with Russia. On the contrary, we should elevate ourselves because we are Kyiv; it all started from us, and let them look up to us," replied one Ukrainian.

Let us remind you that on December 24, the mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, shared photographs taken today on one street with a thirty-minute difference. One photo depicted a farewell to fallen soldiers, while the other showed the traditional setting up of the Christmas didukh in the square at the city center.