War in Ukraine: How the date of Christmas became a very political dilemma for the Orthodox

Ukraine is about to spend its first Christmas under the bombs.

Ten months after the beginning of the war led by Russia, the very believing Ukrainian population will celebrate the birth of Christ in unprecedented conditions.

Because it is under fire from the Russian invader, of course.

But also because, for the first time, she is invited to celebrate the event on two separate dates.

To discover

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Traditionally and according to the Julian calendar imposed by Moscow, the date of Christmas is fixed on January 7 for the Ukrainian Orthodox, but also the Greek Catholics, attached to Rome but practicing the Byzantine rite.

Only the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Church celebrate this event on December 25, as everywhere else in the West.

This year, all Ukrainians will be able to join in the celebrations on both dates if they wish.

Last October, at the end of a synod, Epiphanius, “

” and therefore head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine,…

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