There was a special atmosphere in the cathedral of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex in the Ukrainian capital on Orthodox Christmas Day, Saturday 7 January.

Ukrainian carols were sung and during the service the bishop, Metropolitan Epiphanius 2, noted that Ukraine has already achieved a moral victory in its war against Russia.

He said that Christmas encourages the fight against evil, sin and darkness.

While some Ukrainian Orthodox churches moved their Christmas celebrations to 25 December, to distance themselves from the Russian Orthodox Church, most Orthodox churches worldwide celebrate Jesus' birth on 7 January, in line with the Julian calendar.

The Kiev-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

There is a special atmosphere in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra today: Ukrainian carols sounded there Also during the Christmas service, Metropolitan Epiphanius 2 noted that Ukraine has already achieved a moral victory, and Christmas encourages the fight against evil, sin and darkness, which in the current realities especially resonates in the hearts of the Ukrainian people Syspilni video