Ukraine has made a significant symbolic gesture by moving its official Christmas Day state holiday from 7 January to 25 December.

The move is seen as an attempt to distance the country from its historical ties with Russia and align itself more closely with the West. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the bill into law after it was passed by Ukrainian lawmakers, signaling the country’s ongoing efforts to abandon Russian cultural and religious influences.

The decision comes in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which further strained the already complex relationship between the two nations. For centuries, Ukraine has struggled against Russian attempts to control its religious and cultural identity, including the authority of the Russian Orthodox Church over Ukrainian churches. However, in 2019, the newly formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) was granted independence by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, leading to tensions with the Russian Orthodox Church.

The OCU’s adoption of the Gregorian calendar, in contrast to the Julian calendar used by the Russian Orthodox Church, marks a symbolic shift in religious practices. Many Ukrainian worshippers have been joining the OCU in recent years, and now, a majority of them are expected to celebrate Christmas on 25 December. Nevertheless, millions still follow the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), another established branch with a significant presence in the country.

Ukraine’s decision to move Christmas is just one of many measures taken to assert its independence from Russia. The country has renamed streets associated with Russian and Soviet historical figures, removed monuments, and banned Russian films produced after 2014. These actions reflect the ongoing tensions and the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The move to celebrate Christmas on 25 December signifies Ukraine’s desire to carve out its unique identity and distance itself from Russia’s influence. By aligning with the Western calendar and adopting a more independent religious and cultural stance, Ukraine aims to assert its sovereignty and strengthen its ties with the international community.