In Ukraine, Christmas becomes a weapon of resistance against Russia

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The war between Russia and Ukraine turns four years old in February with no ceasefire planned and Christmas has ended up becoming part of the conflict between Moscow and kyiv. To demarcate Ukraine from its invaders, the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky changed the law and abandoned the traditional Julian calendar – used for religious festivities in the Russian Orthodox Church and followed by a large part of Ukrainian Orthodox – to celebrate Christmas on December 25, as is the case in the West according to the Gregorian calendar, and not on January 7.

— Celebrating the week of December 25 is the most correct. Most countries celebrate this date and we are happy to join the world at Christmas — Taras, 24, one of the choir members, told GLOBO. — Celebrating the 25th strengthened our true identity.

According to Angelo Segrillo, professor of contemporary history at USP and specialist on Russia, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (a branch of the Catholic Church that follows Byzantine rites), as well as the Ukrainian state, began celebrating Christmas on December 25 to “mark their position of rapprochement with the West and distance from Russia.”

— The idea is to mark an identity and political departure from Russia. According to Ukrainian nationalist vision, for Ukraine to become truly independent, it must distance itself from Russia and align itself with the West, the professor says. — The outbreak of all-out war in 2022 between the two countries has intensified conflicts and disputes. In addition to weapons, real religious conflicts began with exchanges of accusations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, parishes began to be fought over and redistributed in regions where ethnic Russians or Ukrainians predominate.

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Just 80 km from the Polish border and one of the country’s cultural centers, Lviv is a western metropolis with around 700,000 inhabitants. The city is far from the front, but that does not mean that it is emerging from the war unscathed: in October, it suffered the largest attack since the start of the conflict, targeted by more than 140 drones and 23 missiles. When night comes, the darkness of squares and streets attracts attention due to power cuts to save energy, as the country’s energy infrastructure is a constant target of attacks. Even during the day, the deafening noise of generators fills the air when the power goes out.

But Lviv resists the invasion silently, in its daily life, in the way of life of its population. Despite everything, the streets are decorated and, today and tomorrow, churches and concert halls will be the scene of ceremonies and celebrations. Like everywhere, people are shopping for the holidays. The Christmas market, modest compared to those of Budapest or Prague, still functions, as a witness to a complex reality. Young Dianka, 19, participates in the Christmas tradition for the first time as a seller.

— Last year, there were none — says this economics student who sells chocolates and souvenirs on her stand.

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The law setting the new date for Christmas was enacted in December 2023, but last year the government suspended the Christmas market on Rynok Square due to threats of Russian incursions. This year, still timidly, it has resumed and will remain in place until January.

— Years ago, Russia stole our tradition. They don’t want us to have parties on the 25th, but I’m very happy. We are returning to the original traditions. I really like celebrating with my family. We sat at the table and ate about twenty dishes, from starter to dessert. And then we sang songs in Ukrainian, he said.

Despite the nationalist meaning that the “new” Ukrainian Christmas has for many, some choose to leave aside the political conflicts between the two countries and focus solely on faith. This is the case of Andres, 55, a volunteer at the Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration, who contributed to the preparations to celebrate Christmas tomorrow with his faithful. However, it will also celebrate Three Kings Day on January 6 and Orthodox Christmas on the 7th.

— Tomorrow (today) we will have a pre-Christmas party, in the evening the whole family will be gathered for dinner. The next day (25th) we will have an all day party. However, January 6 is Three Kings Day, but for us it is Christmas. For me it makes no difference, I celebrate December 25 and January 7, the meeting with God is the most important thing – he said.

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For Segrillo, a geographical issue can justify Andres’ flexibility, because in Lviv, “Christmas can be celebrated more easily and in a more developed way.”

— I believe that the Christmas celebrations in the towns closest to the battlefield, although less spectacular (for security reasons), demonstrate even more clearly the determination of Ukrainian civilians and clerics to resist the Russian invasion, he believes.

“Sadness and Happiness”

But even though Christmas may strengthen “anti-Russian” sentiment, Ukrainians’ determination to resist is seen even in those who don’t celebrate the Christian holiday and don’t even have a religion, like Ivan, a 24-year-old journalist.

— I have the Christmas spirit with me, but I have no religion. I don’t celebrate Christmas. Young people, in general, don’t care much about it (Christmas) anymore, but it is important to change the date and not celebrate like the Russians. We want to celebrate like Europe. It’s good to keep your distance from the way they (Russians) celebrate. To reaffirm ourselves.

With no end in sight to a war that has already devastated the country, resistance takes many forms, from changing the date of Christmas to Christmas carols sung by a group of young people in complete darkness at Rynok Square.