Ukrainians celebrate first Orthodox Christmas since invasion

Services have begun in Ukraine to mark the first Orthodox Christmas since Russia’s invasion of the country last year.

Metropolitan Epiphanius led a Christmas service at the Holy Dormition Cathedral at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in the Ukrainian capital, Qazet.az reports.

Other services will be taking place across Ukraine. The date is later than the 25 December date observed by others, as it was moved when Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582.

Under the previous Julian calendar it took place later, and many Orthodox Christians still observe the original January date before the 16th-century reforms.