Zelenskyy signs law on moving Christmas to new style

On July 28, 2023, the Day of the Baptism of Rus, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Law № 9431 "On Amendments to Article 73 of the Labour Code of Ukraine", as well as Decree № 455 "On Amendments to some decrees of the President of Ukraine".

It goes about changing the dates of some holidays, which are celebrated at the national level.

Now in Ukraine, Christmas will be officially celebrated on 25 December instead of 7 January.

In addition, the dates of other holidays have also changed:
- The Day of Ukrainian Cossacks and Defenders' Day are moved from 14 October to 1 October;
- Day of Ukrainian Script and Language – from 9 November to 27 October;
- Day of Baptism of Kievan Rus-Ukraine and Ukrainian Statehood Day– from 28 July to 15 July;
- Adoption Day – from 30 September to 17 September.
- Family Day will be celebrated on 15 May.

On 14 July, the Verkhovna Rada approved a draft law on moving the celebration of Christmas, Ukrainian Statehood Day and Defenders' Day of Ukraine.

As previously reported, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will continue celebrating Christmas on 7 January.