Christmas Message from the Primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine
December 23, 2024
Christmas message to the Most Reverend Archpastors, God-loving Pastors, honorable monastics, and all Orthodox faithful of Ukraine
Dear brothers and sisters,
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
These words of joy and hope resonate today for Ukrainian Christians living under vastly different circumstances, yet united by a shared reality—we celebrate Christmas once again in the midst of war. Regardless of where we hear these words of Christmas greeting—on the frontlines or far from them, in free Ukraine or under the occupation of the Russian empire of evil, in our homes or in foreign lands, within a church during divine service or hiding in shelters from shelling—everywhere, we are acutely aware that the war is near.
Today, there is no son or daughter of our nation untouched by the calamity brought into our home by the enemy. Like a dark, suffocating, and poisonous cloud of evil, it looms over us. Yet despite this, we are not only able to rejoice in the feast—we are especially obligated to do so, to honor the Nativity of Christ, to glorify the Savior born into the world, and to proclaim His coming.
Wherever possible, we must celebrate the divine services in honor of the Nativity of Christ in our native Local Church, singing in our native language about the most important event in history, the event from which we reckon our years. And even where difficult wartime circumstances prevent such an opportunity, let Christmas prayers and Ukrainian carols still resound. Let the angelic proclamation be heard: "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10–11).
For those celebrating in the trenches on the frontlines, hiding underground from enemy shelling—Christ, born in the cave-stable by the Virgin, blesses you. For those forced to celebrate this Christmas far from their homes—know that the Lord, who said, "Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head" (Matt. 8:20), came into the world for you too. For those exiled from their native lands, fleeing the danger of evil—you are not alone, for the Savior is with you, along with His Most Pure Mother and her betrothed, Joseph, who also fled to a foreign land to escape Herod’s wrath.
For those firmly convinced of the truth of God's word and in living unity with the Church—today, as with the shepherds in Bethlehem's fields, angels proclaim the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and divine promises. For those searching for truth, uncertain of how to find it—Christ has not rejected you; like the Magi, He sends a star to guide you to Him, that you too may find your Savior.
For those who resist God’s will and seek to expel Christ from their lives and the life of the nation due to selfish pride—let the fate of the bloodthirsty, irrational Herod serve as a warning.
The Nativity of Christ is not merely an ancient historical event, separated from us by over two millennia (though it indeed occurred during the days of Caesar Augustus in Roman-occupied Palestine). It is just as real for us here and now. The Roman Empire and its emperors are gone, countless epochs with their unique challenges have passed, but the Nativity of Christ remains a life-affirming, timeless event. It is not merely a sage, teacher, or prophet, but God Himself, born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, who came into the world. The Lord descended from heaven and was born in Bethlehem to open the way to heaven for each of us, to unlock the gates of paradise, and to bring the Kingdom of Heaven closer to us.
This is why, in our liturgies, Ukrainian traditions, carols, and nativity plays, we celebrate the birth of the Son of God in the flesh as an event happening now, for us, and as more than a memory of the events recorded in the Gospel. This feast mystically makes every person who sincerely glorifies the newborn Savior a true participant in these events.
Celebrating today, we hear the angelic choirs. Celebrating, we see the star leading to the cave and the manger with the Christ Child. Celebrating, we bow down with the shepherds and Magi. No matter where or in what circumstances we celebrate this Christmas, Christ, who came into the world, is with us and blesses us.
So, dear brothers and sisters, let us celebrate not in despair but with joy. Setting aside the sorrows of external circumstances, let us join with heart and soul those who hasten to worship Christ born of the Virgin. The darkness of evil seeks to envelop and consume us, but we are with "the true Light, which gives light to every man coming into the world" (John 1:9), and "the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5). This is why we must conquer sorrow with joy in God, weakness with the invocation of His help, and despair with hope in His victory.
God is with us! Let the ends of the earth hear this. Let all tyrants and God-opposers know: we do not fear your threats and will not be shaken, for God is with us! Today, in Bethlehem, the Child of God is born for us, a Son is given to us, the Mighty God, the Ruler, the Prince of Peace.
With these words of joyful hope and trust in God, I greet all of you, dear brothers and sisters, on the occasion of the Nativity of Christ and the civil New Year—our entire large family of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, all Ukrainian Christians, and our heroic people.
I greet our defenders, volunteers, veterans, doctors, and all medical workers. I greet everyone directly combating the evil of Russian aggression and helping bring Ukraine’s victory closer.
We offer our shared prayers to God for protection, help, relief, and freedom for all our brothers and sisters celebrating Christmas in captivity, Russian prisons, or under occupation. May the Lord aid you and hasten your liberation!
Our unchanging gratitude extends to all benefactors, foreign friends, and allies whose sacrifices and compassion help ease the burden of war for the Ukrainian people.
We prayerfully ask for God's help, wisdom, inspiration, and success in serving the Ukrainian people, overcoming enemy aggression, and establishing a just peace for the President of Ukraine and all those in positions of authority.
Together, we thank God that, with His help and by maintaining unity, we were able to protect our common home—Ukraine—throughout this year of struggle. May the coming year, with God’s blessing, be a year of victory for truth and the establishment of peace.
On this day, let us set aside the sorrow and pain of war, allowing the light and joy brought by the news of Christ’s birth to inspire and strengthen us!
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Epiphanius,
Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine
Nativity of Christ,
December 25, 2024,
Kyiv