Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve
The Nativity of Christ. Photo: VC
On January 6 (December 24 according to the Julian calendar), Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve. The name derives from the custom of preparing and eating sochivo or kutya on this day – a dish made from wheat, barley, or rice with honey, poppy seeds, dried fruits, raisins, and nuts. Christmas Eve is observed twice a year – before the feasts of Christmas and Theophany.
According to popular belief, it is customary on Christmas Eve to refrain from eating "until the first star appears". This tradition is associated with the story of the Star of Bethlehem appearing in the sky to announce the birth of Christ. However, the Typikon does not require fasting until nightfall.
Similarly, there are no liturgical directives regarding the preparation of 12 fasting dishes on Christmas Eve, which is a custom rooted in Ukrainian folklore traditions.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that boxing champion Vasyl Lomachenko published a post on Facebook criticizing statements by the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Epifaniy Dumenko, about the calendar reform, which was supposedly implemented flawlessly.
Read also
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.
Concert held at seized Cherkasy cathedral
The OCU thanked the musical ensemble for choosing the Cherkasy cathedral as the venue for a Baroque music concert.
OCU activist admits breaking into UOC church in Sloviansk
Oleksandr Onyshchenko said that the OCU held its first "service" at the Seraphim Church, which had previously been broken into by forcing the locks and doors.