President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law on postponing Christmas celebrations.
The head of state initiates celebrating this holiday not on January 7 (we are talking about Orthodox Christmas), but on December 25 (Christmas is celebrated on this day by Catholics).
The explanatory note to the bill states that for a long time, “Russian ideology was imposed on Ukrainians in many areas of life,” including religion.
In the latter case, according to the text, the people of Ukraine were forced to observe the Julian calendar and celebrate Christmas on January 7th.
However, the majority of Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate it on December 25, the note states.
Zelensky reminds: On May 24, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine at the Council of Bishops approved the transition to a new church calendar, which also includes postponing the celebration of Christmas to December 25.
The purpose of the bill is to abandon the Russian legacy of imposing the Nativity of Christ on January 7 and set the date of celebration on December 25, TASS agency document.
In addition, the draft law postpones the celebration of the Day of Ukrainian Statehood (from July 28 to 15) and the Day of Defenders and Defenders of Ukraine (from October 14 to October 1).
According to the Ukrainian leader, the adoption of this law will contribute to a departure from Russian traditions and the strengthening of “national unity” in the country.
