Several Orthodox priests pray on Saturday for the soldiers who fought against Russia – at the front, where the fighting has continued, despite the Christmas celebrations. – We have had a number of funerals of soldiers who were killed in the war against the Russians here in the church as well. That’s what Serhii Kuruljuk, priest of the Holy Pokrovsky Cathedral on the outskirts of the historic center of Lviv, tells us. Serhii Kuruljuk is both a priest and a psychologist, and has close contact with both soldiers and refugees affected by the war. Prayer in a Ukrainian church during the Orthodox Christmas celebration. Photo: Morten Jentoft He shows news around the beautiful church, built in the 18th century and which now belongs to the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In 2019, this was given equal status with the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. Now the church is beautifully decorated with Christmas trees and small displays of the baby Jesus in the manger, as we know it from Norwegian churches around Christmas. – We think that when we mark the birth of Jesus Christ, it will be an opportunity for us to strengthen our feelings, and that in turn will make us win this war, says Kuruljuk. Feelings of hatred The war, which has actually been going on since 2014 but which was greatly expanded with the full-scale Russian attack on 24 February last year, has naturally affected the Christmas celebrations both in Lviv and the rest of Ukraine. – Yes, we feel hatred right now, towards those who have come to our country, to our homes, Kuruljuk continues. Serhii Kuruljuk held the Christmas service in Pokrovskyj Cathedral. Photo: Morten Jentoft – But are there any opportunities to envisage any reconciliation with the Russians? – Now is not the time for forgiveness. We are in existential danger because of physical attacks, says Kuruljuk. – We will probably think about it. I think it is only possible to talk about this on the day the aggressor has left our country. During the Orthodox Christmas service in Lviv, which is celebrated according to the old Julian calendar, prayers are offered both for Ukraine and for the soldiers at the front. Ukraine has also made December 25 an official holiday, in a clear attempt to distance itself from the Russian Orthodox Church and draw closer to the rest of Europe – Christmas is about gathering strength Outside the Holy Pokrovsky Cathedral, Zoriana Faraleiko stands with a pram , where her one-year-old son sleeps peacefully. Zoriana Faraleiko has relatives who fought at the front in Donbas. Photo: Morten Jentoft She also believes that Christmas is now only about one thing: gathering strength so that the Ukrainian army can win the war against the Russian invaders. – I have a relative who fought at the front in Bakhmut, says Zoriana to news. – He had plans to come home for the New Year, but because of the situation, nothing came of it. The fighting for the city of Bakhmut has raged for many months. Probably hundreds of soldiers have lost their lives, from both sides. – But we have faith in the future, says Zoriana Faraleiko, looking down at the little boy in the pram. Russia admits shooting The Russian Ministry of Defense said again on Saturday that the Ukrainian forces have continued their attacks even though it is Christmas. Russia wanted a ceasefire on 6 and 7 January in connection with the Orthodox Christmas celebrations, which the Ukrainian authorities have rejected as propaganda. Cloud of smoke over buildings near the front line in Donbas, which Reuters writes is from a Russian attack. Photo: CLODAGH KILCOYNE / Reuters Since yesterday, both sides have accused each other of new attacks. The Kremlin claims to have stopped all attacks along the front line until midnight on Christmas Day, January 7. Today, however, the Russian Ministry of Defense says, according to Reuters, that they have fired back at the Ukrainian forces, repelling four attacks. These must have happened since they claimed a unilateral ceasefire at 10 am Norwegian time on Friday. Both the head of foreign affairs in the EU, Josep Borrell, and spokesperson for the US Department of Foreign Affairs, Ned Price, have referred to the so-called ceasefire as not credible.
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