Orthodox church of Ukraine allows worshippers to celebrate Christmas on 25 December

Ukrainians wearing traditional attire singing Christmas carols in Pirogovo, near Kyiv, on 7 January this year. Photograph: Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA

For centuries Ukrainians have celebrated Christmas on 7 January, the date on which Jesus was born, according to the Julian calendar.

But following Vladimir Putin’s invasion in February, the Orthodox church of Ukraine is allowing its congregations for the first time to celebrate Christmas on 25 December, in a move away from Russia and towards the west.