From St. Nicholas Day to Christmas: a calendar of church holidays for December 2024.

December is not only the final month of the year but also a time when one of the largest religious holidays is celebrated – Christmas. Since September 1, 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has transitioned to a new church calendar, which means that all fixed holidays are now celebrated 13 days earlier. Consequently, Christmas is now observed on December 25 instead of January 7, as it was previously. To see what the church calendar for December 2025 will look like, check below.

Holidays in December 2025

• December 1 – Feast of the Holy Prophet Nahum. This saint was prayed to for wisdom, asking to "instruct the mind" and "enlighten," as he is considered the patron of sciences and literacy. If the weather is warm on this day, winter will also be mild.
• December 2 – Feast of the Holy Prophet Habakkuk, a prophet of the Old Testament who wrote a great book of revelations. On the Day of the Prophet Habakkuk, people prayed for peaceful sleep, relief from sleepless nights, and the expulsion of evil forces from their homes, often referred to as night spirits.
• December 3 – Feast of the Holy Prophet Zephaniah, the Venerable Theodulus of Constantinople, the Venerable John the Silent, former Bishop of Koloneia, and Holy Martyr Theodore, Archbishop of Alexandria. This saint is considered the protector of soldiers and sailors. People often pray to her for protection from thunder, explosions, and sudden death. In the past, it was believed that one should spend this day in silence to avoid misfortunes and attract good luck.
• December 4 – Feast of Saint Barbara, the Great Martyr. She is also regarded as a protector of soldiers and sailors. People pray to her for protection from thunder, explosions, and sudden death. On this day, girls would predict their futures, asking for a successful marriage, healing from illnesses, and health for their children. Additionally, December 4 is celebrated as the day of the Venerable Damasus.
• December 5 – Feast of the Venerable Savva the Sanctified. He established the monastic Jerusalem rule and was one of the founders of several monasteries and lavras. Through his prayers, he healed people, helped them rid themselves of demons, and guided others on the right path. It is believed that it is a sin to work or visit on this day.
• December 6 – Feast of Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia. This is the most beloved holiday among children, as they write letters to the saint with their wishes. At night, adults hide gifts under their pillows. The Day of Saint Nicholas was also significant for young women. Those preparing for marriage would tidy their chests in advance, preparing clothing and jewelry for their suitors.
• December 7 – Feast of Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Mediolanum. On Ambrose's day, people prayed for a peaceful life, deliverance from enemies, diseases, sorrows, and various evils. From this day forward, festivities and celebrations were prohibited until the New Year.
• December 8 – Feast of the Venerable Patapius. He had the gift of healing and assisted all who were suffering.
• December 9 – Conception of the Righteous Anna, Mother of God, and the icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy." The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated by Catholics across Eastern Europe, as well as partially in Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Portugal.
• December 10 – Feast of the Holy Martyrs Mina, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus. Saint Mina was endowed with the gift of healing sight, could cast out unclean spirits from people, perform miracles, heal diseases, and grant the ability to see truth and falsehood, good and evil in all words, actions, and events.
• December 11 – Feast of the Venerable Daniel the Stylite. On this day, it is forbidden to quarrel, and housewives began their first preparations for Christmas.
• December 12 – Feast of Saint Spyridon. It was traditionally believed that this is the coldest day of December, as "the sun moves to the other side."
• December 13 – Feast of the Holy Martyrs Eustratius, Eugene, Axentius, Mardari, and Orestes. Our ancestors would predict the future harvest on this day. They would smear honey on the ceiling and throw grain. If it stuck, it foretold a good harvest.
• December 14 – Feast of the Holy Martyrs Tirsa, Levkiya, Philemon, Apollonius, and Kalinik.
• December 15 – Feast of the Holy Hieromartyr Eleutherius and the Venerable Paul.
• December 16 – Feast of the Holy Prophet Haggai. Christians believe that on Haggai's day, one should not spend time away from family, clarify relationships, be lazy, swear, or lie.
• December 17 – Feast of the Holy Forefathers, the Prophet Daniel, and the Holy Ananias, Azariah, and Misael.
• December 18 – Feast of the Holy Martyr Sebastian and his wife.
• December 19 – Feast of the Holy Martyr Boniface of Tarsus, who was a servant to a wealthy lady in Rome. He was always compassionate towards people, and even his name translates from Latin as "to do good."
• December 20 – Feast of the Venerable Ignatius, Archimandrite of Kyiv-Pechersk, in the Far Caves.
• December 21 – Feast of the Holy Martyr Juliana, the daughter of a prominent pagan who was born in the city of Nicomedia, who endured torture and death for her faith in Christ.
• December 22 – Feast of the Holy Great Martyr Anastasia the Deliverer. It is believed that Saint Anastasia helps pregnant women. Among the saints, she is second only to Paraskeva in terms of veneration.
• December 23 – Feast of the Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete.
• December 24 – Christmas Eve, Feast of the Holy Fathers and the Holy Hieromartyr Eugene. For believers, this day is a time of strict repentance and fasting. Preparations are made for the bright and significant holiday – the Baptism of the Lord. The church conducts two rituals related to the sanctification of water. In the evening of Christmas Eve, housewives set 12 Lenten dishes on the festive table, symbolizing the 12 apostles. The main dish is hunger kutya, which is made from whole grains of rice or wheat.
• December 25 – Christmas. In the Orthodox calendar, Christmas is one of the 12 major feasts of the annual liturgical cycle. On this day, after church service, it was customary to gather for a lavish festive meal with the whole family. People who had been observing a forty-day fast begin their feast. It is traditional to visit friends and family on Christmas. People believed that if two men entered the house first on this day, it was a good omen, ensuring no quarrels would occur in the household for the rest of the year.
• December 26 – Feast of the Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God, one of the 12 major church feasts, marking a special moment in the life of the Mother of God. As she embodies tranquility and harmony and is considered the guardian of the family hearth, people ask her for health for children, parents, relatives, and a strong family.
• December 27 – Feast of the Holy Apostle and First Martyr Stephen.
• December 28 – Feast of the 2000 Holy Martyrs burned in Nicomedia.
• December 29 – Feast of the Holy Innocents killed in Bethlehem and the Holy Venerable Markell.
• December 30 – Feast of the Holy Martyr Anisia, the Holy Venerable Zotikos, Presbyter.
• December 31 – Feast of the Circumcision of Christ, the Holy Venerable Melania, or Malanka (Generous Evening). This is a beloved folk holiday when it is customary to dress up as animals and folklore characters. During the Malanka celebration, girls, with or without masks, spend the whole night singing and divining.