Released on January 7, 2001
"Kristos rodyvsya" - Ukrainian for "Christ is born!" - words that will echo
across dinner tables throughout Saskatchewan this Sunday as many celebrate
Ukrainian Christmas.
Premier Roy Romanow has deep roots in the Ukrainian community and took the time
to reflect on his past.
"My parents emigrated to Canada from Ukraine. I am proud to be able to
celebrate both my Ukrainian and Canadian heritage," Romanow said. "The
celebration of Christmas should remind us of the richness of our past and the
spirit of hope and optimism for the new year.
"It is also a time to appreciate the many blessings we enjoy and cherish in
Canada - our freedom, loving families and our sense of community."
Ukrainian Christmas falls on January 7th because Ukrainians use the Julian
Calendar. In 1528, Pope Gregory XIII changed the Julian Calendar. The new
Gregorian Calendar better represented the changing seasons. But the world's 50
million Ukrainians chose to keep using the old Julian Calendar and have so ever
since. The difference between the two calendars placed Christmas on January
7th. Because of the size of the Ukrainian Church, the date has become widely
known as "Ukrainian Christmas."
"On behalf of my wife, Eleanore, our families and my colleagues in the
Government of Saskatchewan, I wish each of you a holiday season filled with
love, happiness and hope," Premier Romanow concluded.
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For more information, contact:
James Millar
Media Services
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-6349