ODESA, Ukraine, Dec  24, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian Orthodox Christians

attended services on Sunday as the country prepares to celebrate Christmas on
December 25 for the first time, after the government changed the date from
January 7, when most Orthodox believers celebrate, in a snub to Russia.

In the southern Black Sea port of Odesa, churchgoers prayed and lit candles
as priests in gold vestments held Christmas Eve service in the Cathedral of the
Nativity, decorated with fir trees and a nativity scene.

"We believe that we really should celebrate Christmas with the whole world,
far away, far away from Moscow. For me that's the new message now," said one
smiling parishioner, Olena, whose son is a medic on the front line.

"We really want to celebrate in a new way. This is a holiday with the whole
of Ukraine, with our independent Ukraine. This is very important for us," she
told AFP.
- 'Abandon Russian heritage' -

Most eastern Christian churches use the Julian calendar, where Christmas
falls on January 7, rather than the Gregorian calendar used in everyday life
and by Western churches.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law in July moving the
celebration to December 25, saying it allows Ukrainians to "abandon the Russian
heritage of imposing Christmas celebrations on January 7."

The date change is part of hastened moves since the invasion to remove
traces of the Russian and Soviet empires, such as by renaming streets and
removing monuments.

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine formally broke away from the Russian
Orthodox Church over Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for
separatists in eastern Ukraine.
- 'Join civilised world' -

The political rift has seen priests and even entire parishes swap from one
church to another, with the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine growing fast and
taking over several Russia-linked church buildings in moves supported by the
government.

Ukrainians on Sunday voiced support for the Christmas date change.
"We wanted to support what is happening in Ukraine now. Because changes are
always difficult, and when these changes occur, more people are needed to
support it in order for something new to happen," said Denis, a young man
attending church.

He was willing to compromise, however.

"We can celebrate on the 25th and the 7th (of January)," he said.
"Now a lot of my friends are celebrating on the 25th, along with us, and on
the 7th with their parents."

In the western city of Lviv, which has been little damaged by the war,
Taras Kobza, an army medic, said "we have to join the civilised world."

Tetiana, a singer in a traditional music group called Yagody (berries),
agreed: "I'm very happy that we are finally celebrating Christmas Eve and
Christmas together with the rest of the world. It's really cool."

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has also opted to hold Christmas
services on December 25.

But the historically Russia-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church is keeping the
January 7 Christmas date. This church claims to have cut ties with Russia
because of the war but many Ukrainians are sceptical.

Under the Soviet Union, atheism was encouraged and Christmas traditions
such as trees and gifts were shifted to New Year's Eve, which became the main
holiday.

Ukrainian Christmas traditions include a dinner on Christmas Eve with 12
meatless dishes including a sweet grain pudding called kutya.

People decorate homes with elaborate sheaves of wheat called didukh.
Celebrations also include singing carols called kolyadky, carrying decorations
in the shape of stars and performing nativity scenes.