Ukrainians flock to Kyiv’s St.Volodymyr’s cathedral for Christmas Eve service
Christian Orthodox Church uses Gregorian calendar and celebrates Christmas on 7 January
Members of Ukraine’s Orthodox Christian community are attending a Christmas Day church service in Kyiv’s St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral.
The Christian Orthodox Church uses the Gregorian calendar and celebrates Christmas 13 days after most of the Western world, which uses the Julian calendar.
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Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas Day with various traditions, many light a small fire of blessed palms and burn essence to commemorate the three wise men’s gifts to baby Jesus.
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Orthodox Christians ususally celebrate Christmas Eve with a festive dinner of 12 dishes, which represent the 12 apostles.