Zelensky: Today all Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on the same date

Zelensky assured that all Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on 25 December. Photo: a screenshot of Zelensky's YouTube channel

On 24 December 2023, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, standing in front of the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, congratulated Ukrainians on Christmas. The video message is posted on Zelensky's YouTube channel.

"Today all Ukrainians are together, we meet Christmas on the same date as one big family, one nation, one united country," assured Zelensky. He believes, "Today our common prayer, people's prayer, will be more powerful than ever."

"Today it will unite millions of voices, more than ever before," the President is convinced. “And it will sound without a time difference of two weeks, together with Europe and the world."

Zelensky believes that this prayer is "unique" because it will be "for people, for peace, for justice, for life". He particularly stressed that this prayer will be "from different denominations" and, therefore, "will have no boundaries".

The President mentioned that Ukrainians are "going the path to obtain spiritual independence, freedom of our faith from the ideology of slavery, from the cult that has nothing human and sacred."

Zelensky said the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is "a symbol of Ukrainian history, culture, religion, Orthodoxy, all Eastern Christianity".

"The Lavra is a place of strength for people," the President said, highlighting that the monastery will always be "a source of spirit for those who believe in the victory of truth and Ukraine”.

At the end of the address, Zelensky quoted lines from the pre-Christian pagan carol: "Oh, how it was from the beginning of time": "So that the heavens and the earth ripen, the heavens – with stars, the earth – with flowers, oh, God grant."

As reported, Volodymyr Zelensky lit a menorah with Jews at the President's Office.

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.