Winnipeggers celebrate Ukrainian Orthodox Christmas traditions for the final time in January

Nick Kowalchuk isn't sure what his birthday dinner on Jan. 6 will look like in the years ahead, but hewas grateful to share it gathered with those most dear to him, embracing and celebrating his Ukrainianheritage.

Many Ukrainian Orthodox Christians in Manitoba, including the Kowalchuk family, celebrated Christmas Eve and its traditional 12-dish vegetarian mealon Saturday for the last time in January.

Last year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyysigned a law moving his nation'sofficial Christmas Day holiday from Jan. 7 to Dec. 25. This was done as a way to abandon Russian heritage surrounding the holiday, which has lasted more than 1,000 years.

"It's mixed feelings because it was unique and it was a time where we were just getting together and that will be missed," Kowalchuk said.

Information Radio - MB8:13How will Ukrainians in Manitoba be celebrating the last official orthodox Christmas this weekend?

Nick Kowalchuk tells host Marcy Markusa he has mixed feelings about it but his family will officially celebrate one final time this weekend with a dinner tomorrow night

Following the consumption of kutia, borscht, four different kinds of perogies, three types of cabbage rolls, two types of fish and a traditional bean dish, as well as the singing of Christmas carols, the family planned to discuss what they'd do about gathering and celebratingChristmas next December.

It may not be on Dec. 24 and 25, but Kowalchuk is all right with that.

"We will get together, and so whatever date that is, that just is like what everybody else does," Kowalchuk said, while admittingit might not be"quite as authentic."

Winnipeg Ukrainian churches have open minds

Two of Winnipeg's largest Ukrainian churchesHoly Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral and St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral followed in the footsteps of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and accepted the revised Julian calendar.

OksanaBondarchuk, president ofSt. Mary the Protectress, said the move is difficult to accept on a personal level.

"For me it is somewhat unsettling, because I've always, I've only known [Jan.] 6 and 7. As a child growing up, we did not acknowledge [Dec.] 24and 25. We never had a tree up before Jan. 1," she said Saturday.

That changed when she had a family of her own, but Bondarchukstill enjoys celebrating Orthodox Christmas in January. However, she understands why the decision was made to part from Russia.

"You can understand where the people are coming from," she said.

"We had a discussion about this in our church at a parish hall meeting, and it was evident that the newcomers, predominantly the refugees, were all in support of the 24th and 25th to break the bonds of the enemy oppressor, and that we understand totally."

Bondarchuk doesn't think the change from January to December is going to be immediate for all Ukrainians who celebrate Orthodox Christmas.

"I think it'll take at least a generation to make that complete change," she said.

"I think if you're a Christian, your approach has to be understanding of everybody, and what's in a date? The date is not as significant as what is in your heart and your mind."

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada told parishes that they will not be forced to adopt the revised Julian calendar immediately if they are not ready to do so.