By KYIV. Jan 6 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Together we are a big Ukrainian family, and wherever we are now, at home, at work, in a trench line, on the road, in Ukraine or abroad, our family is united like never before, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video greeting on Christmas according to the Julian calendar.
"We are united in our belief in a single victory. We still bring it closer. Every day. We still stand for each other, side by side. Every day. We defend our land, our culture, our traditions, our faith. As our ancestors, Cossacks – defenders of the faith and the Church of Christ, did. And in the same way as all their descendants and continuers of the traditions of our army and our people did," Zelensky said.
"Today, the spirits of our ancestors help us every day. In order to beat those who came to our land," the president said.
According to him, "we live in a special time and all our holidays are special. And we have to break some of our traditions in order to protect our traditions."
"Dark or old worn clothes cannot be worn on holidays so that trouble does not come to the house. But trouble came to our house on February 24, 2022, so since then we have not been in white clothes and have been fighting with black forces," he said.
"Guests should be treated especially cordially and carefully. Guests, but not occupiers. On a holy day, you can’t clean up and take out garbage from the house, but we fight with the devils and take garbage out of our house for more than three hundred days in a row," Zelensky said.
"It is forbidden to sew and knit, but we weave camouflage nets and sew body armor, overcoming evil. These days, our ancestors did not go hunting, but we fight so as not to become prey and defeat the beast. God sees it. The world sees it," he said.
The president said the "Carol of the Bells" written to the music of Mykola Leontovych is sung in more than 150 variations, and the Ukrainian "Shchedryk" gives the Christmas spirit to the entire planet. "The spirit of hope, goodness and miracle. This year, this spirit of the world is given not only by our music, but also by Ukrainian courage, invincibility and rebelliousness," the president said.
"Today, we all have one dream. May harmony come to every family, prosperity to every home, victory to the Ukrainian land, and with it a thousand-year peace and prosperity. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and delicious kutia [traditional sweet grain pudding]! Take care of yourself, take care of your families take care of our Ukraine!" Zelensky said.
