For Ukrainians, Christmas comes early, but not a moment too soon

Ukraine's Ukrainian Orthodox Church switched from the Julian church calendar to celebrate Christmas on December 25, aligning with most of Europe and distancing itself from Russia's tradition. The shift brought joy to families, who celebrated the holiday earlier and exchanged presents. The change is seen as a step toward Europe and away from Russia's influence. Most parishes in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church followed the recommendation to change the date, with only a few still adhering to the Julian calendar.