On Hanukkah, Christmas and the unity of Ukraine

Ukrainian politicians lighting up a menorah. Photo: UOJ’s collage

The country’s top officials recorded greetings for the occasion, and Zelensky even declared that it “unites all Ukrainians”.

Curiously, however, we didn’t see the nation’s leaders attending church services.

Meanwhile, several political and military leaders of Ukraine took an active part in Hanukkah celebrations, which coincided with the date of the New Style Christmas. Zelensky lit a menorah at the Presidential Office, Kyiv Mayor Klitschko lit the largest menorah in Europe in Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) and another menorah at the Kyiv History Museum. The head of the Defence Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), Budanov, lit a “specially created GUR hanukkiah” at the Kyiv Jewish Community Centre.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the authorities showing such attention to the Jewish community. However, it makes up only a fraction of one percent of Ukraine’s population. By contrast, there are approximately 6 million believers of the UOC. These believers will soon be celebrating Christmas according to the Julian calendar, as their ancestors have done for generations. Yet in 2025, the majority of these millions won’t even be able to attend festive services—Zelensky has taken away their public holiday.

So, it seems that some (very small) religious communities in Ukraine are given honour and respect, while others face slander and restrictions.

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