Ukrainian → English transcript

Ukrainians, dear Ukrainian women. Tonight is a very special evening. Christmas Eve.

This is a unique time that has a special spirit, its own special

magic for all of us. Because this evening is really

about all of us,

about everything that makes Ukrainians Ukrainian. It is love for our home,

our roots and traditions. It is happiness when

the whole family gathers at the table. When at last

we meet, we hug, we ask one another,“ How are you?”

All of this has always been

integral attributes of our Christmas. But for the fourth year in a row,

the fourth year of full- scale war

for independence,

all of this they are trying to take from us. And all of this we are defending

today: our land, our families. That longed- for feeling of

calm and peace

in our home. When we are warm, when we enjoy our food, when we are together.

And despite everything, we are together also today. And so it will be today,

because it does not matter at a distance or in person, Ukrainians…

Ukrainians are together. And no one can take this feeling

away from us. And this feeling gives us hope, gives us all this and helps

us hold on. To hold on despite everything. We are celebrating Christmas

in a hard time.

Unfortunately, not all of us are at home this evening, and not everyone

unfortunately, has a home.

And not everyone, unfortunately, is with us today. Yet despite all the troubles

that Russia has brought, it is not able to occupy or bomb

the most important thing. It is our Ukrainian heart. It is our faith in one another,

and it is our unity. And that is why millions of us today will be waiting in the sky

for the first star. In the sky over Kyiv, Zakarpattia, in the sky over Odesa or

Kupiansk. Wherever they are, Ukrainians are together today.

They are celebrating Christmas

on the same date. Like one big family.

Undoubtedly, wartime have changed us,

and it is not so important now how we decorate our home, but how we protect it.

It almost does not matter what dishes are on the table. What matters is

which people are at the table. And that those who are now defending us and cannot be

nearby, at home, stay in touch. So that we can hear their voice, even for a minute,

receive the most precious message:“ I am all right.” And joy is brought

not by bright illuminations, but simply by light, light in our homes

and inside us.

And we are happy when we hear the music of Christmas.

But even more so when we do not hear the music of evil.

When we do not hear drones and missiles flying overhead. On the eve of Christmas,

the russkiye once again showed who they really are. Massive shelling,

hundreds of“ Shaheds,”

ballistics,“ Kinzhals”— everything was used.

This is how godless people strike.

This is what those do who have absolutely nothing

in common with Christianity

and anything human. But we hold on.

We support one another. And today we pray for everyone who is on the front line,

that they return alive. For everyone who is in captivity, that they return home.

For all our

fallen heroes who

defended Ukraine at the cost of their lives. For everyone whom Russia

has driven into occupation and forced to leave. For those who are struggling,

but have not lost Ukraine within themselves,

and therefore Ukraine will never lose them. Today we stand shoulder to shoulder.

We will not get lost in the darkness. In person or in our thoughts. We will greet

one another, we will hug and warm one another. We will call our parents,

we will kiss our children, we will tightly hug

our loved ones. And of course we will remember… we will remember all our own.

And as long as all this lives in our hearts,

as long as the human being inside us lives,

as long as this faith of ours has not gone out… And it is so… so simple, but the

strong human desire to live. Until then, no evil has a chance.

And an extra proof of this is our wonderful kids who these days gather together,

dress up in different outfits and go, just like before, to tell people about

the joyful news: the birth of the Son of God. And just like before,

we open our doors and open our hearts. And we keep these

traditions of ours, just like before, all together we sing our carols.

And it is so important and valuable that all of this has been preserved,

has not disappeared, has not worn away, has not been forgotten and goes on.

And lives. And as long as this

is happening, we have not disappeared, and life will keep winning,

and Ukraine will be kept safe. Dear people, Ukrainians have long

believed that on Christmas night the heavens open. And if you tell them

your dream, it will definitely

will come true. Today all of us have the same dream. And we are all making

the same wish. That he would perish. Each of us says it

for ourselves. But when we turn to God, of course, we ask for more,

we ask for peace

for Ukraine. We fight for it

and we pray for it. And we deserve it. That every Ukrainian

family would live in harmony. That every Ukrainian child

would be happy with a gift. Would smile, would keep that so important

childlike faith in goodness and miracles. That the eyes of our children, the eyes of

our parents, our loved ones, our relatives would finally

stop crying. That goodness and truth would win.

That there would be victory, peace, and that we would be. And that there would

be Ukraine. And surely the day will come when everyone gathers at home,

in the first peaceful year of a peaceful Christmas. And they will

say to one another: “ Christ is born!”

Let us glorify Him!

I congratulate all of you on the holiday, dear Ukrainian men and women.

To each and every one I wish Merry Christmas, enjoy your kutia and,

of course, may we all have peace. Take care of yourselves. Take care of

your families. Take care of our Ukraine. Christ is born! Let us glorify

Him!