In Ukraine, on Thursday, December 25, most Christians celebrate Christmas.

This holiday is one of the most significant in Christianity, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. It is recognized as a public holiday in over 100 countries.

According to biblical accounts, the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus during a census. Due to the crowded conditions in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph could not find a place to stay and ended up in a stable. At the moment of the Savior's birth, a star shone in the sky, guiding the wise men who brought gifts. Christians gather annually for solemn services to remember this event.

The evening before Christmas, Christians celebrate Christmas Eve, marking the end of the fasting period. Traditionally, the fast concludes with the appearance of the first evening star. On the festive table, a lit candle and 12 meatless dishes are served, each of which is customary to taste. Kutya is the main dish of Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve, families usually come together and sing carols. Christmas morning begins with the greeting: "Christ is born!" to which the response is: "Glorify Him!".

This year, Ukraine officially celebrates Christmas on December 25 for the third time. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church switched to the new Julian calendar on September 1, 2023, which means that most fixed church holidays are celebrated 13 days earlier.

The new Julian calendar is now used by most Orthodox churches worldwide, including the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Meanwhile, the Julian calendar is still followed by churches such as the Russian, Serbian, Georgian, and Jerusalem Orthodox churches. Some believers in Ukraine will continue to celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar on January 7.

In July 2023, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted a law changing the dates of public holidays, declaring January 7 no longer a public holiday, and establishing December 25 as the official date for Christmas celebrations.