Christmas 2025: how services were held in churches of Mykolaiv

A solemn Mass for Christmas Eve at St Joseph's Church on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Festive services on the occasion of the Nativity of Christ were held in Mykolaiv. The services were held, in particular, at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God and at the Church of St Joseph.

This was reported by NikVesti.

This year, Mykolaiv, like the rest of Ukraine, celebrates Christmas for the third time on 25 December. The transition to the new church calendar began in 2023.

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Christmas is one of the most important Christian holidays, symbolising the birth of Jesus Christ, hope, renewal and light. In Ukraine, this holiday is traditionally associated with Christmas Eve, caroling, prayer, lighting of Christmas candles and family unity.

Christmas Mass at St Joseph's Church

On the evening of 24 December, at around 18:00, a solemn Christmas Eve Mass was held at St Joseph's Church.

The service traditionally began with the transfer of the Peace Light of Bethlehem to the church, which the Plast members spread from the birthplace of Christ around the world as a symbol of hope and unity, as well as protection of all those who are offended. This year, the fire was brought from Bethlehem to Vienna and then transferred to Ukraine.

During the service, the pastor lit the altar with the sacred fire and then read out passages from the Gospel. The faithful could also read the texts of the Holy Scriptures themselves. The whole process was accompanied by a festive choir.

«I wish that this fire of peace, which has been lit here today from Bethlehem, that this peace warms the hearts that are tired and frightened today. I wish that this fire, which is burning there, as a sign of God's love, would always warm you,» said the rector, Oleksandr Repin.

A solemn Christmas Eve Mass at St Joseph's Church on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

In a separate speech in the church, it was emphasised that even despite the war, and the pain and losses that come with it, Christians should not allow hatred of all human beings to arise in their hearts, because a holiday like Christmas is meant to bring peace, hope and reconciliation.

Christmas service in Mykolaiv Cathedral

On the morning of 25 December, a Christmas service was held at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God according to the New Julian calendar. The service began at 9:00. The faithful gradually gathered in the church to celebrate the feast of the Nativity of Christ with a joint prayer.

People came to the cathedral with their families, lit candles and prayed for peace in Ukraine, for the military and their loved ones. The parishioners noted that Christmas this year is perceived as a special holiday — a holiday of hope, faith and spiritual unity in times of war.

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Why Christmas in Ukraine is now on 25 December

Historically, both 7 January and 25 December are conditional dates for Christmas: the Bible does not specify the exact day of Jesus Christ's birth.

At one time, the Roman Empire celebrated the Feast of the «Invincible Sun» on 25 December, when daylight hours began to increase. Later, to give this day a more Christian meaning, it was associated with the birth of the Son of God.

The Julian and Gregorian calendars: how the gap in dates appeared

For a long time, churches used the Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar. However, it was not completely accurate: due to an error of 12 minutes a year, the calendar gradually began to «lag behind», and holidays such as Easter moved towards summer. Over a thousand and a half years, this difference reached 10 days. Therefore, in 1582, the Pope decided to reform and create his own Gregorian calendar, which was more accurate astronomically — it reduced the gap to 26 seconds per year. Since then, most believers, both Catholics and Orthodox, have started celebrating Christmas on 25 December according to the new calendar.

But not all countries adopted the reform immediately. For example, Ukrainian lands that were part of the Russian Empire continued to hold services in the old style. However, this was due to political rather than religious motives, according to «Radio Liberty». During the Soviet era, some states switched to the Gregorian calendar, but the church kept the Julian calendar tradition for a long time.

Over time, the difference grew to 13 days. So when most Christians around the world celebrate Christmas on 25 December according to the Gregorian calendar, it is only 12 December in the Julian calendar, and «church's» 25 December falls on 7 January.

According to the old calendar, Christmas is still celebrated in Russia, Georgia, and Serbia. In recent years, Ukraine has been gradually returning to pan-Christian traditions.

• In 2022, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) allowed services to be held on 25 December.

• In June 2023, the OCU switched to the New Julian calendar. At that time, residents of Mykolaiv welcomed the OCU's transition to the new calendar for fixed holidays on 1 September 2023.

• July 2023 — The Verkhovna Rada established a public holiday on 25 December, cancelling the status of 7 January as a day off. A similar decision was made by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovska Icon of the Mother of God. Photo: NikVesti

The Orthodox Church stressed that the change of dates is another step towards the unity of the Ukrainian religious tradition with most churches in the world. It will also help the country dissociate itself from Russian influence. At the same time, the church emphasises that no one will force believers to celebrate Christmas on 25 December: parishes are allowed to temporarily keep the old style while the transition continues. Also, for some time, it will not be a mistake to celebrate this holiday on both 25 December and 7 January, as it is actually the same date in different calendars.

Photo report

A solemn Christmas Eve Mass at St Joseph's Church on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at St Joseph's Church on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at St Joseph's Church on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas nativity scene at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: MikVist

Mykolaiv residents during a Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: _nikvesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at the Church of St Joseph on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at St Joseph's Church on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at the Church of St Joseph on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at St Joseph's Church on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at St Joseph's Church on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at St Joseph's Church on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at the Church of St Joseph on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at St Joseph's Church on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at the Church of St Joseph on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas service at the Cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God on 25 December. Photo: NikVesti

Christmas Eve Mass at the Church of St Joseph on 24 December. Photo: NikVesti

Photo: Iryna Olekhnovych, Darina Melnychuk