Orthodox Christmas

2023 - 1 - 6

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Ukraine war: Kyiv rejects Putin's 'trivial' Christmas truce (BBC News)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his defence minister to impose a 36-hour ceasefire on the Ukrainian frontline, beginning on Friday.

Both days are public holidays in the country. Relatives of the dead, as well as some politicians and commentators, expressed anger over what happened in Makiivka and blamed incompetent military officials. The Kremlin's ceasefire fits in nicely with a common narrative in Moscow, one that is aimed primarily at the domestic audience. Ukrainian presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, said there could be no "temporary truce" until Russian forces withdrew from all the areas they had occupied. [said Moscow repeatedly ignored](https://twitter.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1611076829577904128) President Zelensky's propositions for peace. A Kremlin statement said: "Taking into consideration the appeal by [Kirill], the president hereby instructs the minister of defence of the Russian Federation to impose a ceasefire regime along the entire line of contact in Ukraine" for the 36-hour period.

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Ukraine rejects Vladimir Putin's call for Orthodox Christmas truce as ... (ABC News)

Ukraine spurns an offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin for a 36-hour ceasefire over Orthodox Christmas, as the leaders of the United States and ...

Russia's Orthodox Church observes Christmas on January 7. The Turkish presidency said Mr Erdogan told Mr Putin on Thursday that a ceasefire was needed to end the conflict, and told Mr Zelenskyy that Turkey was prepared to serve as a mediator for a final peace. "Proceeding from the fact that a large number of citizens professing Orthodoxy live in the areas of hostilities, we call on the Ukrainian side to declare a ceasefire and allow them to attend services on Christmas Eve, as well as on Christmas Day," Mr Putin said. The Kremlin said Mr Putin had ordered a ceasefire from midday (local time) on Friday after a call for a Christmas truce from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. - The Kremlin says Mr Putin ordered a ceasefire from midday on Friday after a call for a Christmas truce from the head of the Russian Orthodox Church "Taking into account the appeal of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, I instruct the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation to introduce a ceasefire regime along the entire line of contact of the parties in Ukraine from 12:00 on January 6, 2023 to 24:00 on January 7, 2023," Mr Putin said in the order.

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Ukraine rejects Putin's truce offer for Orthodox Christmas - InDaily (InDaily)

Ukraine has spurned an offer from Vladimir Putin for a 36-hour ceasefire over Orthodox Christmas, accusing Russia of hypocrisy and saying there will be no ...

Please click below to help InDaily continue to uncover the facts. Your contribution goes directly to helping our journalists uncover the facts. The Turkish presidency said Erdogan told Putin on Thursday that a ceasefire was needed to end the conflict, and told Zelenskiy that Turkey was prepared to serve as a mediator for a final peace. “Proceeding from the fact that a large number of citizens professing Orthodoxy live in the areas of hostilities, we call on the Ukrainian side to declare a ceasefire and allow them to attend services on Christmas Eve as well as on Christmas Day,” Putin said. “Taking into account the appeal of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, I instruct the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation to introduce a ceasefire regime along the entire line of contact of the parties in Ukraine from 12:00 on January 6, 2023 to 24:00 on January 7, 2023,” Putin said in the order. The Kremlin said Putin had ordered a ceasefire from midday on Friday after a call for a Christmas truce from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

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Image courtesy of "Sky News Australia"

Ukraine will celebrate Orthodox Christmas 'on guard' (Sky News Australia)

Ukraine Orthodox Church of Canberra Fr Michael Solomko says Orthodox Christmas is a time of “peace and goodwill amongst men” which should not be offered for ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Ukraine rejects Putin's 36-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Christmas (The Guardian)

Kyiv says Moscow's declaration of truce, after Russian president cited appeal from patriarch, is 'hypocrisy'

She said many had died in the Each convict reportedly received up to £3,000 a month for fighting in Wagner. “Don’t steal, you have enough money for now,” he added. [attempt to capture the Donbas city of Bakhmut.](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/ukraine-wagner-leader-counts-cost-as-russian-offensive-stalls-in-bakhmut) They worked with honour, with dignity. Since the war began, some Ukrainians are choosing to celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar, rather than the Julian calendar still used by the Russian Orthodox church. Only [have sex] for love or money,” he said, a statement that was met with laughter. “They worked off their contract. [Ukraine](https://www.theguardian.com/world/ukraine). [tweeted](https://twitter.com/ABaerbock/status/1611043048842039298). [tweeted](https://twitter.com/Podolyak_M/status/1611028379771482118?s=20&t=MpDIqO8YFTuwwiiPGTcmNA). [Ukraine](https://www.theguardian.com/world/ukraine) for Orthodox Christmas from midday on Friday to midnight on Saturday.

Russia's Putin ordered a temporary cease-fire in Ukraine during ... (WJCT NEWS)

Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed his country's Defense Minister to order a temporary cease-fire in Ukraine over Orthodox Christmas.

Is there any reason to give Putin the benefit of the doubt and at least test whether this might be a chance to build on a goodwill gesture? As to Putin's needing oxygen, again, in Biden's words, you know, that may well refer to Russia needing a pause after its own recent setbacks now, including this Ukrainian rocket attack on a makeshift Russian military barrack in the town of Makiivka in eastern Ukraine on New Year's Day. He was ready to bomb hospitals and nurseries and churches and with the - on the 25th and New Year's. KELLY: Charles, back to the cease-fire. MAYNES: You know, of course, Biden is referring to these massive airstrikes carried out by Russia on Ukrainian cities on December 25, when many Orthodox Christians also celebrate Christmas, as well as deadly strikes in Ukraine over the new year. Here's Biden in comments to the press earlier today. Putin ordered, as you noted, his defense minister to implement this 36-hour cease-fire so people, Putin said, could attend Christmas services on the 6 and the 7. And Putin called on Ukraine's government to do the same. The wing of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church affiliated with Moscow for centuries split from the Russian church over Kirill's statements last spring. He has never, for example, expressed remorse over the deaths of Ukrainian civilians and has really embraced Putin's language that increasingly frames this conflict as a fight to defend traditional Russian values against the hedonistic West. According to the Kremlin, the cease-fire will kick in for 36 hours starting at noon on January 6 - so tomorrow. A statement released a few hours later by the Kremlin made clear President Putin had heard and was responding directly to Kirill's plea.

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Image courtesy of "iNews"

When is Orthodox Christmas 2023? Why Ukraine celebrates ... (iNews)

Vladimir Putin has ordered his defence minister to impose a 36-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with the Russian Orthodox Christmas, which Ukraine has ...

- Serbia - Bulgaria - Egypt - Israel But his measurements were wrong by about 11 minutes, and over the centuries the dates of major Christian holidays had drifted so much it became an issue. [Ukraine rejected his request to reciprocate](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/ukraine-official-rejects-vladimir-putins-call-for-36-hour-frontline-ceasefire-during-christmas-2067380?ico=in-line_link), with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, calling it an attempt to stop [Ukraine’s military advances](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/russian-troops-revealed-location-missile-attack-phoning-home-2064569?ico=in-line_link) in the east.

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Putin's Orthodox Christmas cease-fire begins; Ukraine rejects truce (NBC News)

Ukraine rejected the cease-fire ordered unilaterally by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which began Friday to coincide with the start of Orthodox ...

“The hand of Christian mercy was extended to the Ukrainians,” he said in a Telegram post. and Germany were planning to send new armored vehicles. “We believe this is a cynical ploy, so that the Russians can use a bit of time ... Ukrainian officials also reported Russian attacks earlier Friday. The church, which uses the ancient Julian calendar, celebrates Christmas on Jan. About an hour after the Russian cease-fire began, air raid sirens sounded in the capital, Kyiv, though no explosions were heard. Some Orthodox Christians in Ukraine recently started celebrating Christmas on Dec. “Based on the fact that a large number of citizens professing Orthodoxy live in the areas of hostilities, we call on the Ukrainian side to declare a cease-fire and give them the opportunity to attend services on Christmas Eve, as well as on the Day of the Nativity of Christ,” Putin said. “Putin cannot reasonably expect Ukraine to meet the terms of this suddenly declared cease-fire and may have called for the cease-fire to frame Ukraine as unaccommodating and unwilling to take the necessary steps toward negotiations,” “Now they want to use Christmas as a cover to stop the advance of our guys in the Donbas for a while and bring equipment, ammunition and mobilized people closer to our positions,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Thursday. ET). [cease-fire ordered unilaterally by Russian President Vladimir Putin](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/putin-russia-ukraine-cease-fire-orthodox-christmas-rcna64421) to coincide with the start of [Orthodox Christmas](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/christmas-ukraine-orthodox-russia-invasion-war-church-kirill-putin-rcna63439) began Friday, but was rejected by [Ukraine](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/russia-ukraine-news) and its allies as a cynical move designed to buy time on the battlefield and favor in the eyes of the public.

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Image courtesy of "Morning Star Online"

Peace campaigners call on Putin to make Orthodox Christmas truce ... (Morning Star Online)

PEACE campaigners have called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to make a truce he has ordered in the Ukraine conflict into a permanent ceasefire.

With a regular donation to our monthly Fighting Fund, we can continue to thumb our noses at the fat cats and tell truth to power. The Morning Star is unique, as a lone socialist voice in a sea of corporate media. All the resources put into war could be used in so many ways to bring life.”

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Ukraine, EU, US slap down Russia's Orthodox Christmas 'ceasefire ... (EURACTIV)

Ukraine and its Western allies in the EU and US dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's calls for a 36-hour Russian Orthodox Christmas ceasefire as a ...

I found it interesting that he was willing to bomb hospitals and nurseries and churches (…) on the 25th and New Year’s,” Biden told reporters at the White House. “Withdrawal of Russian troops is the only serious option to restore peace and security. Keep hypocrisy to yourself.” Announcement of unilateral ceasefire is as bogus and hypocritical as the illegal and grotesque annexations and accompanying referenda,” Michel said in a “Now they want to use the Christmas as cover to halt offensive of our boys in Donbas at least for a while and redeploy their military vehicles, ammunition and mobilised closer to our position,” he said in a statement. Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church and a close ally of Putin, made a similar request in a message posted on the church’s

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Image courtesy of "Euronews"

Why do some Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas in January? (Euronews)

But Orthodox Christians — excluding the Greek Orthodox Church, which adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1923, and parts of the Ukrainian faithful — still use the ...

In recent years it has become increasingly popular with children to organise “Vertep” performances and raise small amounts of cash. Christmas Day on 7 January starts with a visit to church. As a result, Orthodox Christmas will eventually fall on 8 January by the year 2100. The 6 January celebrations are not to be confused with the day of the Epiphany, which is celebrated by Christians following the Gregorian calendar to mark the revelation of God in human form as Jesus. But Orthodox Christians — excluding the Greek Orthodox Church, which adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1923, and parts of the Ukrainian faithful — still use the Julian calendar today. The reason for the difference in festivities is due to the separate calendars that Catholic and Orthodox Christians use to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

What is Orthodox Christmas, and why is it in the spotlight this year? (CNN)

Prior to Russia's full-scale war on Ukraine, Kyiv had been pushing to establish its own independent Orthodox Church separate from Moscow, and the schism only ...

He was ready to bomb hospitals and nurseries and churches on the 25th and New Year’s.” The president’s order came after Kirill called for a ceasefire between January 6 and January 7 to observe Orthodox Christmas. The adviser later described Putin’s order as “purely propaganda,” adding: “There is not the slightest desire to end the war. [announcing in a sermon](https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-09-27-22/h_2ab378fc95a147a373a12e1343741566) in September 2022 that Russian soldiers who die in the war against Ukraine will be cleansed of all their sins. US President Joe Biden expressed skepticism on Thursday, telling reporters that he was “reluctant to respond to anything Putin says. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has become closely entwined with the Russian state under Putin, responded by cutting ties with Bartholomew. Even before the decision on May 27, 2022, more than 400 parishes had already left the UOC-Moscow Patriarchate in the aftermath of the invasion. Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 decided to standardize Christian holidays with the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, which put the birth of Jesus Christ as December 25. “He is sacrificing himself for others,” he said. Majority-Orthodox countries include Russia, Ukraine and Greece, whose churches are part of the Eastern Orthodox branch, which is also followed by the majority of Christians in the Middle East. In October, a branch of Ukraine’s Orthodox church announced it would This severed the church’s centuries-long ties with the Russian church.

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Image courtesy of "TIME"

Why 250 Million People Celebrate Christmas in January (TIME)

Christmas is still in full-swing for millions of Orthodox Christians who mark the day on Jan. 6 or 7.

Scotland banned Christmas in 1640 in an attempt to separate it from Catholic customs, and it did not become a [public holiday until 1958](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiFs8LEy7L8AhUwVaQEHXEaDf0QFnoECBQQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nts.org.uk%2Fstories%2Fscottish-christmas-traditions&usg=AOvVaw0mIZdRLkRrq0EFtmMQM1B8). They argued that the Bible did not reference the celebration of Christ’s birth, and banned Christmas in 1659 from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, calling it “Foolstide.” (They also famously did not celebrate other holidays like Easter.) [Saturnalia, celebrating the Roman god Saturn](https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/saturnalia), also falls around Dec. Many religious groups did not agree with the holiday’s ties to pagan customs, and sought to renounce Christmas as a whole. [tied](https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-christmas-in-december) Jesus’ conception to March 25. Orthodox Christians in Greece, Cyprus, and Romania mark Christmas on Dec. The largest number of Orthodox Christians live in eastern and southeastern Europe, including Russia and Ukraine. However, some Orthodox churches adopted a revised Julian calendar in the early 20th century. Conflicting Christmas dates trace back centuries, though Pope Gregory XIII sought to solidify a date for the holiday in 1582 when he proposed the Gregorian calendar. The Roman church officially began celebrating Christmas on Dec. Easter, for instance, is also typically celebrated on a different day because Orthodox Christians elected to follow a distinct calendar after they broke from the Catholic church. It’s speculated that religious leaders likely chose to observe Christmas in late December to persuade people to stop celebrating pagan holidays, though others argue that it is because Sextus Julius Africanus, a Roman Christian historian,

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Image courtesy of "NationalWorld"

Orthodox Christmas 2023: when is Russian Christmas day, what is it ... (NationalWorld)

The Russian Orthodox Church uses the ancient Julian calendar, rather than the Gregorian calendar.

Here is everything you need to know. [officials](/topic/officials) criticised the action as a ruse - Kyiv has indicated it would not follow suit. The Russian-declared cease-fire in the nearly 11-month war is scheduled to start at 12pm on Friday (6 January), and last until Sunday (8 January) at midnight.

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Image courtesy of "KMXT"

Kodiak parishioners welcome Russian Orthodox Christmas with ... (KMXT)

In many homes across Alaska, Christmas trees stay up through mid-January in celebration of Russian Orthodox Christmas, which falls each year on January 7.

“It’s a heartwarming time and it brings back so many beautiful memories,” he said. Admission to the museum for the event is free for the public. Russian Orthodox Christmas services begin in Kodiak on Friday and run through the weekend. “It’s a wonderful expression, especially this anticipation of this year,” he said. “There’s just beautiful local foods that are served and elders might speak and address the people in the home,” said Spiridon Ash, a reader at St. In Alutiiq, the practice of “starring” is known as Slaawiq.

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Putin calls for Ukraine cease-fire to mark Russian Orthodox Christmas (NBC News)

President Vladimir Putin has instructed his military to observe a cease-fire in Ukraine for 36 hours to mark Russian Orthodox Christmas.

We will bite you in the singing silence of the Ukrainian night." Meanwhile, President Joe Biden's top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, announced Friday that $3.75 billion in new military aid was heading to Ukraine. Putin instructed his defense minister to institute the cease-fire “along the entire line of contact between the parties in Ukraine” starting at midday local time (4 a.m. The Russian Orthodox Church, which uses the ancient Julian calendar, celebrates Christmas on Jan. [responded on Twitter](https://twitter.com/Podolyak_M/status/1611028379771482118), using the abbreviation for the Russian Federation. [in a statement to Ukrainians](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3647327-maemo-buti-gotovimi-do-sprob-rf-vvesti-v-diu-novi-mobilizacijni-resursi-prezident.html). Some Orthodox Christians in Ukraine recently started celebrating Christmas on Dec. The proposed Christmas truce would last until midnight local time (4 p.m. He also called on Kyiv to do the same. Ukraine destroys only members of the occupation army on its territory,” Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak RF must leave the occupied territories — only then will it have a ‘temporary truce.’ Keep hypocrisy to yourself." Ukraine doesn’t attack foreign territory and doesn’t kill civilians.

Orthodox celebrate Christmas in shadow of conflict (Yahoo News)

Orthodox Christians packed churches on Friday evening for Christmas Eve services, a holiday darkened for many by the conflict raging between Orthodox ...

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

For Orthodox Christmas, Russia offers a self-serving cease-fire but ... (The Washington Post)

Ukraine rejected the temporary truce and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war by withdrawing his invading forces from occupied ...

Read the [latest updates here](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/06/russia-ukraine-war-latest-updates-putin-ceasefire/?itid=lb_war-in-ukraine-what-you-need-to-know_2). In Berlin, the Russian Embassy condemned a decision by Germany to send Marder infantry fighting vehicles long coveted by Kyiv. North of Ukraine, in Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko was seen Friday touring tent camps that house the Russian military. [Russia-Ukraine war](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukraine-russia/?itid=lb_war-in-ukraine-what-you-need-to-know_7). [Subscribe to our channel](https://t.me/washingtonpost?itid=lb_war-in-ukraine-what-you-need-to-know_8) for updates and exclusive video. “What does a bunch of little Kremlin devils have to do with the Christian holiday of Christmas?” tweeted Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s national security council. We will bite you in the singing silence of the Ukrainian night.” Putin this week ordered his forces to observe a 36-hour truce for the holiday, the Kremlin said. Telegram channels affiliated with Russia’s Wagner mercenaries, who have been leading the offensive in the area, posted videos Friday evening purporting to show the group’s fighters entering Soledar. RIGA, Latvia — Russia complained Friday that Ukraine refused to adhere to an Orthodox Christmas cease-fire — though Kyiv never agreed to the unilateral 36-hour truce and dismissed it as a ploy for Moscow to regroup. Continual military aid from Ukraine’s allies poses a problem for Putin. Putin reiterated that position in a phone call Thursday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

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Image courtesy of "Chicago Sun-Times"

Orthodox Christmas celebrations commence Friday night (Chicago Sun-Times)

For Baltic, Hellenic, Arabic and Coptic households in Eastern Orthodox Churches, midnight mass and traditional holiday food come on a different calendar.

The priest then chooses one bread to symbolize the “lamb of God” — or the removal of sin with the birth of Jesus — in the Christian tradition. Because that’s where you find the oddest creatures.](https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/1/6/23538847/madagascar-field-museum-steve-goodman-biodiversity-biologist-biology) George’s in Monee, will switch between English and Arabic during the liturgy. Mary’s in Palatine — will offer separate services in English and Arabic. Celebrations look and feel similar to those of Christians in the Western world in December, said Rev. The first Eastern Orthodox Christian churches in Chicago [were founded by Greek, Russian and Serbian](http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/407.html) immigrants. The holiday also commemorates the birth of Jesus and is celebrated with religious services, large meals and family gatherings, Mikhail said. Paul, about 150 congregation members will join Friday night services, when clergy members and children will participate in a ritual procession through the church to offer round breads made with yeast to the altar. Some Orthodox Christians exchange gifts, while others do so nearly three weeks earlier, to commemorate the Feast of St. Meanwhile, many Ethiopian households will have eaten red lentils and Kik Alicha, a split pea stew. Orthodox Christians balked when the Vatican Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Logan Square.

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It's Orthodox Christmas Eve and many in Saskatchewan are ... (Globalnews.ca)

The festival is marked by traditional feasts, fasting and church ceremonies. The holiday has its roots in the centuries-old decision made by Orthodox churches ...

Some people will come and they have tears in their eyes because they remember their grandmother or somebody doing this for them,” Joan said. And just to remember that patience is very important when we’re dealing with world situations that seem to be under control or out of control.“ She also makes a lot of perogies, garlicky buns, creamy cucumber salads, cheesecake tarts, squares and meatballs in mushroom dill creamed sauce. “The 40 days prior to Christmas is a fasting time. This evening on the 6th of January, we all gather for our meal. The festival is marked by traditional feasts, fasting and church ceremonies.

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