Ukraine Celebrates Christmas with Europe for the Second Time Amid Shelter Prayers and Over 70 Russian Missiles
On Wednesday, 25 December, after a massive Russian missile attack, Ukrainians celebrate Christmas for the second year in a row on the same day as Europe. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church celebrate this day according to the New Julian calendar.
Due to the security situation, services in churches began later, after the threat had passed. Traditionally, Christmas Day services are broadcast online. Ukrainians who are unable to attend churches for various reasons were also able to join in the prayer.
The head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, was scheduled to begin the Christmas service at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv at 7:30 am. As Russia massively attacked Ukraine on 25 December, the service started later. In addition, due to the threat of missile attacks, it was held in a bomb shelter. The service in the UGCC ended around 11:00.
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, led by Metropolitan Epifaniy, began a solemn Christmas service at 9:00 a.m. in St Michael's Cathedral of the St Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv. The service in the OCU ended around 11:30.
‘For the second time, we celebrate Christmas on the same date as one big family, one country. For the second time in modern history, Christmas unites all Ukrainians. Today we are side by side. And we will not get lost. Whether live or in our minds, we will greet each other, call our parents, kiss our children, hug our relatives, and remember our own,’ President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his address the night before.
On the morning of 25 December, Russia massively attacked Ukraine with more than 70 missiles of various types and over a hundred drones.
‘Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhuman? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine,’ Zelenskyy said in his morning speech.
According to preliminary data, Ukrainian defenders managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a significant number of drones.