Putin announces cease-fire for Russian Orthodox Christmas holiday

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered a 36-hour cease-fire in Ukraine in observance of the Russian Orthodox Christmas holiday following a request from the church’s leader. The Russian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar and celebrates Christmas on Jan. 7. Moscow Patriarch Kirill had first called for a truce from noon Friday through midnight Saturday, but prior to Putin’s announcement, officials in Kyiv largely dismissed the idea as a trap. Peace talks between the countries remain stagnant as both continue to claim territories Russia has invaded, claimed, and partially held against Ukrainian counterattacks.

How did Ukrainian citizens celebrate Christmas this year? Some orthodox Ukrainians celebrated Christmas on Dec. 25 this year in an effort to part with the Russian church. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine in October agreed to allow congregants to celebrate Christ’s birth early. 

Dig deeper: Read Jenny Lind Schmitt’s report in WORLD Magazine about sitting with Ukrainians who are coping with the cost of the war.