SACRAMENTO – A new law signed by Ukraine's president marks a major step toward distancing himself from the Russian Orthodox Church as war rages in Ukraine this holiday season.
Father Myroslav Turchak leads services at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sacramento. The military chaplain from the war-torn Donetsk region is looking forward to the changes ahead.
“We are part of American society and want to celebrate Christmas with others.” [of the] “Christian churches here in the United States,” Father Turchak said through a translator.
This summer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that postponed the traditional Christmas holiday from January 7th to December 25th. Ukrainian churches around the world now celebrate Christmas in December.
It's a move that Fair Oaks' Svitlana Iotko welcomes.
“Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, people do not want to follow this Soviet tradition and will not celebrate Christmas on January 7,” Iotko said.
Iotko and her family left Ukraine shortly before the outbreak of war. She considers herself lucky.
This Christmas season she is hanging small reminders of the current situation in her homeland on her Christmas tree.
Meanwhile, churches have become second homes for Ukrainian refugees still arriving in the Sacramento region.
“Every person who comes to a new country always tries to find something familiar, and the most familiar thing for us is our church,” Father Turchak said.
As the conflict in Ukraine reaches its two-year mark this Christmas Day, Ukrainians are praying for a speedy victory.
The local Ukrainian community plans to be in front of the California State Capitol this Sunday to raise awareness about the conflict in Ukraine and the need for more support. The public is warmly welcome.
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