FOR FIRST TIME, KIEV OFFICIALLY CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS ON 25 DECEMBER
In the night of 24-25 December, the capital will celebrate Christmas in accordance with the western rite at the official level for the first time. The celebrations will occur on Holy Wisdom (Sofiiskaia) Square and will be a symbolic culmination of the celebration in Ukraine of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
According to the report of RISU journalist Tatiana Kalinichenko, the square beside the Holy Wisdom cathedral has already become the main traditional site of the winter holidays in the capital. The New Year's-Christmas fair began on 19 December and will continue until 14 January. The area from the Holy Wisdom gates to St. Michael's cathedral remains closed and the fair with souvenirs, food, and drinks extends all along the road.
The current 25 December is special, because for the first time at the governmental level Ukrainians are celebrating Christmas on the central square according to the western rite.
"I greet you on the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ," the secretary of the Council of National Security and Defense, Alexander Turchinov (one of the initiators of the law about the official celebration of Christmas on 25 December), began his speech and prayer. He said: "Now we are celebrating along with the whole civilized world, together with Europe, because Ukraine is Europe."
The Evangelical Protestant Medal, with an indication of the five principles of the Reformation, was awarded to the Ukrainian Minister of Culture, Evgeny Nishchuk, for facilitating this change.
The minister congratulated "all who confess the Savior" and wished peace to everybody: "We recall the angels who gave their lives for the integrity of the country and we desire the healing of all wounds. We wish tolerance, wisdom, and support for one another. We are undergoing great trials, just as our Savior Jesus Christ underwent them. Therefore I congratulate all who profess the values of good and love."
Besides the politicians, an archpriest of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Oleksa Petriv, also addressed greetings to the guests. Christmas songs rang out from the stage and also new compositions were performed by a worship group, "Breathe of Freedom," from the "Grace" church and by other artists.
Festive areas shine particularly brightly this year. For them, 110 kilometers of garlands were purchased, which create various compositions. And the Christmas tree itself, which traveled a difficult journey to Holy Wisdom, is taller than last year's. In addition, near the cathedral a pen was set up with live sheep, a fair, and photo areas, with hot food, sweets, and drinks. On St. Michael's square children can try out a new chain carousel.
The guests of the first official 25 December Christmas view it in different ways. Some rejoice at the official recognition of both dates of the holiday, exchanging greetings and messages of peace to Christians all around. Others who visit the Christmas tree sometimes do not understand why prayers are coming from the stage when it is not 7 January.
"I do not at all understand why it is necessary to make 25 December a state holiday," the artist Tamara shared. "After all, we also have Muslim and Jewish holidays when they should be given days on the calendar. By Orthodox tradition, we celebrate 7 January. Although our people are ready to celebrate two Christmases and Ramadan so long as there is a possibility of being together and relaxing. Therefore I am not against this, and I am happy that this day has become special for somebody."
We recall that Christmas is celebrated on 25 December by the Roman Catholic Church, the majority of protestant churches, and also a large portion of Orthodox, including the Constantinople (except for Athos), Antioch, Alexandrian, Cypriot, Bulgarian, Romanian, Albanian, and Greek churches, which adhere to the New Julian calendar.
Also on RISU the competition of carols and food is continuing, in which everybody can join. (tr. by PDS, posted 25 December 2017)
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