Many Sask. Ukrainians in support of celebrating Christmas on December 25
Back in July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law officially moving the Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25 as opposed to Jan. 7, when the Russian Orthodox Church recognizes it.
The decision is an effort to, “abandon the Russian heritage” which is stated in the note attached to the law that Zelensky introduced in July.
Christmas is a particularly sacred time for those in the Ukrainian community, and this year that time is 13 days earlier than in previous years.
“This year is special for us because it’s big change for our Ukrainian church and for all Ukrainian people. This year is special because we have a second year of war and people want to completely change life and be closer to home and spiritual life,” Father at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church Vitaliy Ihnativ said.
Originally, the Ukrainian Orthodox church operated on the Julian calendar, which differs from the more well-known Gregorian calendar that is used to determine statutory holidays in Canada.
With Saskatchewan having a well-established Ukrainian community, many are affected by this decision but this doesn’t appear to be interfering with their Christmas spirit.
“It doesn’t make a difference because Christmas is not really about dates it’s more about our God, Jesus Christ who was born on Earth. It’s more about rejoicing and finding some warmth during this Christmas season,” Nataliya Grishna, Parishioner of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church said.
With the war in Ukraine continuing, many in the community have their home country on their minds and in their hearts.
“It left scars, the war left scars on our hearts but I really wish for everyone for Christmas day and for Christmas season to soothe those scars and to rejoice and jet hope,” Grishna said.
Ihnativ says regardless of when Ukrainians celebrate this year it will still be a special time.
“Christmas time is a special time, we should be feeling merciful of God for us and we have hope that in a short time, everything will be stopped and all people, families will be together again and we’ll have a live gathering together.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland says she is 'not going anywhere' after Conservatives call her 'phantom finance minister'
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland declared she is 'not going anywhere' when pushed by the Conservatives on Monday about her future as finance minister.
Rebooked your flight? Here are your options after Air Canada reached a tentative deal with its pilots
Air Canada is offering passengers the option to change flights back. Here's what you need to know.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
A passing comet could shine as bright as Venus. Here are the best viewing times
This eye-catching celestial event is around the corner and will appear in the skies this fall.
Singh challenged on carbon tax stance as MPs return to Ottawa
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh still won't say whether his party would scrap the federal carbon pricing program if elected, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is increasing his calls for the NDP to vote non-confidence in the Liberals and trigger a 'carbon tax election.'
A pipeline explosion is shooting a towering pillar of flame over a Houston suburb
A massive pipeline fire shooting a towering pillar of flame for hours over suburban Houston on Monday as first responders evacuated a surrounding neighborhood and tried to keep more nearby homes from catching fire.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
First teen sentenced in Kenneth Lee case gets 15 months probation
The first teenager to be sentenced in the death of a Toronto homeless man will not face further time in custody, and instead participate in a community-based program.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Saskatoon
-
Man and two adult sons identified as homicide victims in Lloydminster, Sask.
The victims of a triple homicide in a city that straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary have been identified as a man and his two adult sons.
-
'Not Brad Wall's Sask. Party': Two former MLAs to run under the Saskatchewan United banner
Two former Sask. Party MLAs say they intend to run under the Saskatchewan United Party banner in the upcoming fall election.
-
Alberta woman dead following crash on Saskatchewan highway
A 24-year-old Alberta woman is dead and three others are injured following a highway crash about two hours west of Saskatoon.
Winnipeg
-
Tornado warning in effect in parts of southeast Manitoba
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a tornado warning for parts of southeast Manitoba.
-
Manitoba NDP MLA booted from caucus due to business partner acting as Peter Nygard's lawyer
Manitoba’s NDP government has removed Mark Wasyliw, MLA for Fort Garry, from the party’s caucus after the party discovered his business partner is working as Peter Nygard’s criminal defense lawyer.
-
'It's a pretty unique car': Classic car in the family since 1958 stolen from Winnipeg garage
A Winnipeg man is asking for help after a classic car that has been a part of his family since the 1950s was stolen from his garage.
Edmonton
-
Energy minister says public money could help finance Alberta energy cleanup
Alberta's energy minister is promising strong action to clean up the province's growing backlog of unreclaimed oil and gas sites.
-
Names of Lloydminster triple homicide victims released by police
RCMP have confirmed the identities of the victims of a "targeted" triple homicide in Lloydminster, Sask.
-
Edmonton stunt performer wins Emmy for Shōgun
An Edmonton stunt performer is celebrating after winning an Emmy for his role in the show Shōgun.
Calgary
-
'We could have been dead': Calgary dog attack victims push for stricter penalties
Victims hurt in two separate Calgary dog attacks are pushing for the city to hold dog owners more accountable after violent incidents.
-
Solar flare could cause strong northern lights in Alberta on Monday
Northern lights could be visible within Alberta's largest cities Monday night and early Tuesday morning, says a group of photographers passionate about chasing the phenomenon.
-
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's Calgary memorial removed
After 13 days of Calgarians leaving memorabilia, purple Gatorade and Skittles on the steps of the Saddledome in memory of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, officials are now beginning work to remove the display.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge police locate man wanted on outstanding warrants
Lethbridge police have located and arrested a man wanted on a number of outstanding warrants.
-
Coaldale man charged with attempted murder after Lethbridge break-and-enter
Lethbridge police say a 28-year-old man is facing charges of attempted murder following a frightening attack on a woman inside her home this week.
-
Police operation near Vauxhall, Alta., ends: RCMP
A police operation in near Vauxhall, Alta. has ended.
Toronto
-
Jane's Addiction cancels Toronto show, rest of the tour due to frontman's 'continuing pattern of behaviour'
Jane's Addiction has cancelled the rest of its tour, two days before its Toronto concert, following an on-stage scuffle between bandmates.
-
Ontario MPP says OHIP coverage for prostate cancer testing will save lives
An Ontario politician is renewing calls on the government to cover the cost of “lifesaving” prostate-specific antigen testing for all residents under the provincial health plan.
-
Toronto police officer seriously injured responding to person in crisis call
A Toronto police officer was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries while responding to a call on Monday afternoon.
Ottawa
-
18-year-old man dead, second person injured following shooting in Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood
Ottawa police say Quentin Dorsainvil, of Ottawa, was killed in a shooting Sunday night in Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood. He was a young football player with the Kanata Knights, the team's president said.
-
Ottawa's new 3-item garbage limit begins in 2 weeks: Here's what you need to know
Starting September 30, all households will be limited to three items of curbside waste every two weeks. Residents with garbage collection this week will be the first households to face the new three-item limit when the new rules take effect.
-
Ottawa taxpayers facing at least a 2.9 per cent tax hike in 2025, but transit funding questions remain
Ottawa residents are facing at least a 2.9 per cent property tax hike in 2025, but questions remain about how the city will fill a $120 million hole in the transit budget.
Montreal
-
'Bonjour': Quebec launches new $2.5 million ad campaign promoting French language
The Quebec government is launching yet another campaign to promote the use of French and this time, it's going after a typical Montreal lingo, that's apparently a cause for concern for the survival of French.
-
Voters head to the polls for byelections in Montreal and Winnipeg
Canadians in two federal ridings are choosing their next member of Parliament, and political parties are closely watching the results.
-
Black Lives Ruined: The effects of racial profiling by police
Racial profiling is a systemic problem plaguing Montreal police, according to a judgement by Superior Court Justice Dominique Poulin. But what does that mean in the lives of the victims?
Vancouver
-
B.C. mayors and councillors gather in Vancouver to talk housing, other thorny issues
The president of the Union of B.C. Municipalities says communities have billions of dollars worth of infrastructure that will need replacing in the next decade and the province needs to step in with new funding to help.
-
AEDs installed on the North Shore’s Grouse Grind trail
In a move that could very well save lives, AEDs, or automated external defibrillators, have been installed along the busy Grouse Grind hiking trail in North Vancouver.
-
B.C. machete attacks prompt call for federal action from attorney general
British Columbia’s attorney general is urging the federal government to regulate machetes, citing multiple random and 'devastating' attacks using these types of weapons in the province’s urban centres.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. machete attacks prompt call for federal action from attorney general
British Columbia’s attorney general is urging the federal government to regulate machetes, citing multiple random and 'devastating' attacks using these types of weapons in the province’s urban centres.
-
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
-
B.C. mayors demand federal funding for involuntary care, bail reforms, port crackdown
A coalition of elected officials from across British Columbia gathered Monday to demand "urgent action" from the federal government on issues of public safety, mental health and drug addictions – including funding for the province's planned expansion of involuntary care.
Kelowna
-
Son charged with B.C. woman's murder: RCMP
More than a year after a missing Kamloops, B.C., woman’s body was found, her son has been arrested and charged with her murder, Mounties announced Friday.
-
Woman stabbed during daylight Kelowna home invasion: RCMP
A woman suffered life-threatening injuries after being stabbed during a home invasion in Kelowna, according to authorities.
-
Dog mauled to death in B.C. yard after 3 pit bulls jump fence: police
A 12-year-old collie was killed by three pit bulls in the B.C. Interior Sunday morning, according to authorities.
London
-
'This is a bit of a flash point': TVDSB interim education director welcomes ministry audit
Local teachers’ union rep says an Education Ministry audit could answer important questions about Thames Valley District School Board operations.
-
Fatal crash between SUV and mobility scooter
Around 10:30 a.m. on Monday, first responders were sent to the intersection of Blake Street East and Gibbons Street after getting a 911 call about a collision.
-
Body identified after washing up on Lake Huron shore eight years ago
Provincial police have identified a man whose body was found on a Lake Huron beach eight years ago. The remains of 56-year-old Garnet Nelson of Alberta were found on the shoreline near Port Albert on Oct.15, 2016.
Kitchener
-
GoFundMe cancels fundraiser for Ontario woman charged with spraying neighbour with a water gun
A Simcoe, Ont. woman charged with assault with a weapon after accidentally spraying her neighbour with a water gun, says GoFundMe has now pulled the plug on her online fundraiser.
-
Waterloo Region reports its first West Nile cases for 2024
The Region of Waterloo is reporting the year’s first two confirmed cases of the West Nile virus.
-
Man arrested after hidden camera found in student house bathroom: Guelph Police
According to police, students went to the Guelph Police station Friday and handed over a device recovered from their bathroom.
Northern Ontario
-
Young family from northern Ontario wins $70 million Lotto Max jackpot
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.
-
Parts of Northwestern Ontario under tornado watch
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a tornado watch for parts of northwestern Ontario on Monday, saying the situation is dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
-
Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours
The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours.
Atlantic
-
Two arrested in connection with case of missing Halifax teenager: police
Two men have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a Halifax teenager who went missing more than two years ago.
-
Suspicious deaths in Windsor the result of murder-suicide: N.S. RCMP
Police have determined the suspicious deaths of two men in Windsor, N.S., earlier this month were the result of a murder-suicide.
-
Federal money and sales taxes help pump up New Brunswick budget surplus
New Brunswick's finance minister says the province recorded a surplus of $500.8 million for the fiscal year that ended in March.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador monitoring rise in whooping cough cases: medical officer
Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer is monitoring the rise of whooping cough infections across the province as cases of the highly contagious disease continue to grow across Canada.
-
Dispute over unrecognized Inuit group halts major conference for Canadian North
A 16-year-old biennial event aimed at fostering business in the country's eastern Arctic and northern regions has been cancelled indefinitely as a dispute unfolds between Inuit in Canada and a Labrador group claiming to share their heritage.
-
Cow cuddling: Why a Newfoundland farm is offering quality time with these 'gentle creatures'
Jim Lester’s farm hopped on the cow-cuddling trend in early August, and his time slots have been pretty well sold out ever since.
