Combat medic Mirosław Mardarewicz bends over a desk in the lobby of St. Sophia in central Kyiv.

He’s just returned from the front, furiously scribbling names on little scraps of paper. These vouchers are prayer requests for the church, and Myrosław filled three of them with names.

The list of dead people he knows is longer than those who are still alive.

“I have written for the safety and health of my friends, relatives and fighters Ukrainian And he says, “The army and all Ukrainians. May God protect Ukraine this Christmas and give us the strength and determination to win.

Since then, Ukrainians celebrate their first birthday RussiaFebruary Invasion.

In a historic move, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has given parishes across the country the opportunity to celebrate December 25 with the rest of the Christian world, a break from the Orthodox tradition of celebrating January 7.

“For some, it’s a chance to celebrate with the world. For others, the opportunity to celebrate away from Russia,” explains the father. Georgy Kovalenko, pastor of St. Sophia.

“Christmas has a very literal meaning for Ukrainians today. The Holy Family had nowhere to stay – they were homeless. Like the Ukrainians who lost their homes, the Holy Family and Christ were refugees.

Midway through Father Georgie’s sermon, anti-aircraft sirens blared. Instead of Christmas bells, a trumpet sounded loud and clear and the order to take cover.

But instead of being rushed to a shelter, the service continued as more arrived.

The hall was full of people deep in prayer, declaring in their devotion that their country was still at war – a conflict that Pope Francis called “senseless” in his letter. Christmas 2022 header for the world.

“Bitter taste” at Christmas dinner

In a dark speech on Christmas EvePresident Zelensky wore his green military badge.

“Unfortunately, all the holidays this year taste bitter to us and otherwise we can feel the traditional Christmas spirit,” he said.

“Dinner at the family table may not be so tasty and warm, there may be empty chairs around, and our homes and streets may not be so bright.

“Wherever we are, today we will be together. Together we will look up at the evening sky and together we will remember the morning of February 24. We will remember how far we have come.”

While millions of Ukrainians are still separated from their loved ones, some families have managed to reunite.

Parliamentarian and human rights defender Lesia Vasalenko returns with her young children for Christmas.

Her job left her vulnerable to assassination, and she sent her family to Britain, fearing for their safety.

Suffering from bouts of homesickness, she brought her three children home to celebrate with her family in Korostychiv.

They see their grandparents for the first time since the beginning of the war.

“Everyone needs their mother in one way or another. It leaves scars that will be visible for years to come,” says Lesia.

“That fatigue is what Russia is good at. And we have no right – we have no moral rights – in Ukraine or anywhere else to be sick of it.”