Jan.7 is Ukrainian Christmas on the Julian calendar. (ID 203981798 © Yurii Zushchyk | Dreamstime.com)

By paNOW Staff

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Traditions remain but fewer Ukrainian-Canadians celebrate Christmas in January

Jan 7, 2025 | 5:00 PM

Like many Ukrainian Canadians, Sonya Jahn’s family grew up observing Jan. 7 as Christmas Day. It was a longstanding tradition for her family in Prince Albert like many others with Ukrainian heritage, but now, times have changed.

“We are all wanting to support and stand strong with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, and this is just one way that we can certainly do that – by, you know, changing the day of celebration of Ukrainian Christmas,” said Jahn.

In 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky changed the Christmas holiday to Dec. 25 from the date observed by the Russian Orthodox Church in the Julian calendar as a way to distance the country from Russia during the ongoing war.

Jahn, who is also a member of the Saskatchewan branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, said she believes most Ukrainians in the province have made the switch, although there are some older generations who may take longer to transition or may not change the dates at all.

“It’s a huge change actually, to be honest, because it was always given that we would always celebrate with my grandparents, my baba and dido and my mom and dad – it was always the 6^th of January, so this is a big change for us,” Jahn said. “However, I think its an important change to make and if this is a way for us to be able to support Ukraine and the people who have been so strong and trying to stay strong during this whole war, this is something very important to do.”

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While the dates may have changed for the Christmas celebrations, Jahn said cultural traditions like food and dance have not. Also, Malanka, the Ukrainian New Year’s festival, is still being planned for Jan. 11.

Jahn said Ukrainian newcomers to Prince Albert have been working hard to create a special Malanka for the community which will include a play. Tickets can be purchased at Harold’s Family Foods.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com