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
Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy marks 30 years since restoration
The Pantanassa Icon and relics of Prince Volodymyr have arrived in Kovel and will visit churches across the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy to mark the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the episcopal see.
Bukovyna faithful bring humanitarian aid to Kherson region residents
The UOC’s Chernivtsi Eparchy delivered food to Holy Spirit Cathedral in Kherson.
Ukraine must have its own faith: Poroshenko's party lays out peace terms
Poroshenko’s party European Solidarity described church policy as a matter of national sovereignty and said there can be no compromises in this area.
432 UOC churches damaged in Ukraine during war, report says
According to the Religion on Fire project, 807 religious buildings in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities.
DESS official gives number of clergy exempt from mobilization in Ukraine
A DESS representative said the actual number of clergy exempt from mobilization is significantly lower than the number of religious organizations designated as critical.
Cabinet keeps gas prices unchanged for religious organizations
The Cabinet has fixed gas prices for religious organizations through the end of the 2026–2027 heating season.