Most Orthodox Christians in the Odesa region celebrate Christmas on December 25

Most Orthodox Christians in the Odesa region celebrate Christmas either on December 25 or on both December 25 and January 7.

This information came to light during the presentation of the sociological study “Assessment of the Religious Situation: Odesa Region,” conducted by the sociological group “Rating.”Intentco-organized the event. 

As noted by the study’s author, sociologist Oleksiy Antypovych of the “Rating” sociological group, 60% of Christians who are parishioners of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine celebrate Christmas either twice or only on December 25—an 80% increase— while the practice of celebrating Christmas on both days is supported either by people who identified themselves as Orthodox but without a specific denomination, or by parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).

Specifically, on average, 27% of respondents preferred celebrating Christmas on both dates, while another 32% celebrate only on December 25. The same percentage—32%—celebrate only on January 7. The fewest clear supporters of January 7 are in Odesa—28% compared to 36% who celebrate only on December 25, plus those who observe both dates—25%. However, 10% of respondents in Odesa do not celebrate Christmas at all, which is a higher percentage than in other districts of the region. By district, 31% of residents in the Odesa District celebrate only on January 7, while in the other six districts, the figure is 36% each.  

<picture></picture>     
INFOGRAPHIC: “Rating” Sociological Group

The Orthodox Church of Ukraineapprovedthe transition to the New Julian calendar effective September 1, 2023, during the Local Council on July 27 of this year. With the transition to the New Julian calendar for fixed holidays, the OCU also decided to celebrate Christmas on December 25 instead of January 7. The Feast of the Intercession was also observed on October 1, Epiphany on January 6, and St. Nicholas Day on December 6. The celebration of movable Easter and the feasts tied to it remained unchanged.

Кирило Бойко