It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

If you’re new to Ukraine, it may surprise you to learn that in years gone by 25 December was a regular working day here. Nothing special, just another day at the office. The reason for this is as an Orthodox country this special holiday was observed on 7 January according to the Julian Calendar.
Back in 1582, Pope Gregory and the smart people around him recognised a 0.002% discrepancy in the length of time that actually makes up a full calendar year. The resulting correction felt, to some, as if time was being stolen from them, so many persisted on observing holidays on the old calendar. With Ukraine having officially deemed 25 December a holiday (along with 7 January), this is proof indeed that Ukraine is changing, and catching up to 1582 is a good start.