Mariana’s family is among thousands of Ukrainian families forced to celebrate Christmas on different days after a split between the pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian Orthodox churches.
I'm so glad to hear that your grandmother is celebrating with you now, Mariana. May it be a festive time for you and yours and the whole Counteroffensive family!
your grandmother is making progress slow and steady! We have relatives who celebrated " по старому" but that all ended in 2022 (I'm in the US). I love the older traditions tying back to pre 999, and I love the Свят Вечір meal, especially as a vegetarian! We fast on Christmas eve, only because a massive meal awaits! З Різдвом!
no, no disputes. It's easier to celebrate on the 25th because (just about) everyone has the day off in the US. no pushback. Remember though, we are in the US and most of the older folks are from the "old" diaspora in the 1950s. I was born in the US much like most of my relatives. so we are pretty far removed from the tradition of celebrating according to the Julian calendar
There is a whole other layer of complexity. I am a second-generation Ukrainian American. I was raised as a Ukrainian Catholic, celebrating on December 25. Ukrainian Catholics are considered a Byzantine Eastern Rite and are under the Pope. About 9% of the Ukrainian population is Ukrainian Catholic.
One of my uncles was a Ukrainian Catholic priest. My father's cousins were first-generation Ukrainian Americans who were Ukrainian Orthodox and celebrated on January 7, and also had a priest in the family. The families lived in different states, but we visited occasionally, and went to funerals. And our names were spelled slightly differently. Fisanick and Fisanich.
There is the Cathedral of St. George in Lviv which is Ukrainian Catholic.
Many thanks for this moving narrative, showing, once again, that deeply ingrained cultural habits are the the most difficult - and the slowest - to change. Glad to hear that your family has managed to bridge the cultural gap between generations. A happy festive season to you all !
I’m not very religious but do celebrate Christmas on 25 Dec. So in the poll I checked it off as a secular holiday. However, I grew up knowing about old Christmas Day (6 Jan - Feast of Epiphany). That’s also where the Christmas Carol 12 Days of Christmas comes from (25 Dec - 5 Jan). In my parents’ time as kids both days were celebrated. Most people I know have forgotten or don’t know this. In Newfoundland (a province in Canada) there’s a history of mummering which ends on old Christmas Day. You dress up in stuff from around your house to disguise who you are and go house to house playing music or jokes. The hosts are supposed to try to guess who you are. Rather than a religious day it’s become more of a fun time for the family and community.
When I was a Christian, Christmas was a very special time, but as a Humanist now (for over 20 years), it has lost its significance for me, so I treat it as a holiday, but no more. As far as I am concerned, it is a time for families to get together, to enjoy food & parties - and to avoid spending too much money. Many children in recent years expect expensive gifts, which take their parents months to pay for - and debt ruins festive cheer! Seasons Greetings, one and all, but watch your wallets!
I'm so glad to hear that your grandmother is celebrating with you now, Mariana. May it be a festive time for you and yours and the whole Counteroffensive family!
It sounds like kindness and tolerance are winning out in your family. Precisely 2 virtues the Russians have lost. Merry Christmases to your family
your grandmother is making progress slow and steady! We have relatives who celebrated " по старому" but that all ended in 2022 (I'm in the US). I love the older traditions tying back to pre 999, and I love the Свят Вечір meal, especially as a vegetarian! We fast on Christmas eve, only because a massive meal awaits! З Різдвом!
Thank you for your comment! Where there any disputes in your family before deciding to celebrate all together on 25th?
no, no disputes. It's easier to celebrate on the 25th because (just about) everyone has the day off in the US. no pushback. Remember though, we are in the US and most of the older folks are from the "old" diaspora in the 1950s. I was born in the US much like most of my relatives. so we are pretty far removed from the tradition of celebrating according to the Julian calendar
Merry Christmas (Dec 25) to everyone! Thank you for this piece and every piece the team published through the years.
There is a whole other layer of complexity. I am a second-generation Ukrainian American. I was raised as a Ukrainian Catholic, celebrating on December 25. Ukrainian Catholics are considered a Byzantine Eastern Rite and are under the Pope. About 9% of the Ukrainian population is Ukrainian Catholic.
One of my uncles was a Ukrainian Catholic priest. My father's cousins were first-generation Ukrainian Americans who were Ukrainian Orthodox and celebrated on January 7, and also had a priest in the family. The families lived in different states, but we visited occasionally, and went to funerals. And our names were spelled slightly differently. Fisanick and Fisanich.
There is the Cathedral of St. George in Lviv which is Ukrainian Catholic.
I subscribed in nib 2025
Many thanks for this moving narrative, showing, once again, that deeply ingrained cultural habits are the the most difficult - and the slowest - to change. Glad to hear that your family has managed to bridge the cultural gap between generations. A happy festive season to you all !
I’m not very religious but do celebrate Christmas on 25 Dec. So in the poll I checked it off as a secular holiday. However, I grew up knowing about old Christmas Day (6 Jan - Feast of Epiphany). That’s also where the Christmas Carol 12 Days of Christmas comes from (25 Dec - 5 Jan). In my parents’ time as kids both days were celebrated. Most people I know have forgotten or don’t know this. In Newfoundland (a province in Canada) there’s a history of mummering which ends on old Christmas Day. You dress up in stuff from around your house to disguise who you are and go house to house playing music or jokes. The hosts are supposed to try to guess who you are. Rather than a religious day it’s become more of a fun time for the family and community.
Thank you for your comment! Do you think this type of celebration on the 7th could be an option in Ukraine?
It could be but I also recognize this is a sensitive issue. I think it’s important to make space for everyone but everyone must decide for themselves.
When I was a Christian, Christmas was a very special time, but as a Humanist now (for over 20 years), it has lost its significance for me, so I treat it as a holiday, but no more. As far as I am concerned, it is a time for families to get together, to enjoy food & parties - and to avoid spending too much money. Many children in recent years expect expensive gifts, which take their parents months to pay for - and debt ruins festive cheer! Seasons Greetings, one and all, but watch your wallets!