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The Independent UK

National

Felipe Dana

Ukraine moves official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25, denouncing Russian-imposed traditions

Volodymyr Zelenksyy Russia Ukraine The Russian Orthodox Church Orthodox Church

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday signed a law moving the official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25 from Jan. 7, the day when the Russian Orthodox Church observes it.

The explanatory note attached to the law said its goal is to “abandon the Russian heritage,” including that of “imposing the celebration of Christmas” on Jan. 7, and cited Ukrainians' “relentless, successful struggle for their identity” and “the desire of all Ukrainians to live their lives with their own traditions, holidays,” fueled by Russia's 17-month-old aggression against the country.

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