Ukrainian couple Lesya Shestakova, a Catholic, and Alexander Shestakov, an Orthodox believer, will celebrate Christmas together for the first time on December 25.
According to Reuters, Ukraine, like Russia, officially celebrated Orthodox Christmas on January 7 according to the Julian calendar. Earlier this year, Kyiv passed a law that moves this date to December 25, like other Western European countries.
The change is part of a cultural shift that is erasing traces of Russian influence as Ukraine defends itself against Moscow’s invasion that began nearly two years ago.
Lesya, Alexander and their two children celebrated Christmas twice: first with Lesya’s parents in December, and then with Alexander’s parents in January.
“Finally, the day has come in Ukraine when my husband and I can spend time together in the cathedral and thank God that we are together, alive and well,” Lesya told Reuters.
Lesya and Alexander agreed that distancing the country from Russian religious and cultural traditions would further strengthen Ukraine.
“Everything associated with the Soviet Union – the hammer and sickle, stars, idols and monuments to figures such as Lenin (former Soviet leader) – is being destroyed. And now, on December 25, the revival of the country will begin, with new holidays,” Alexander told the news agency.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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