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.
Is Ukraine truly united?
Read also
Orthodox and Jews: Who’s at home and who’s a guest
A media scandal continues in Ukraine following singer Katya Chilly’s statement that “symbols of Ukrainian Christmas, not symbols of other peoples” (referring to the Jewish menorah) should be installed in the center of Kyiv.
MFA – UN: You should only see Russia's crimes against religion. Not ours
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has issued an angry statement in which it chided the UN for criticising the law on UOC ban.
Can the “head of the Church” lie?
The question in the title seems obvious – a person who wears a cassock cannot lie by definition.
On Hanukkah, Christmas and the unity of Ukraine
This year, as last year, there was active promotion of the "New Style" Christmas by the authorities.
What was Cherkasy Cathedral seized for? Concerts?
On 25 December 2024, on the day of celebrating Christmas according to the New Style calendar, the OCU organized a paid concert at the occupied St Michael’s Cathedral of Cherkasy.
So, a quarter of our country is not Ukrainians?
Today, the OCU (Orthodox Church of Ukraine) and the UGCC (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) celebrate Christmas according to the new calendar.