Many Ukrainian refugees will be spending their first Christmas away from home this weekend.
While western countries traditionally celebrate Christmas day on December 25, many Ukrainians instead celebrate on January 7. This is because the Greek and Orthodox Churches follow the Julian Calendar.
This is also the case for the Russian Orthodox Church, with Putin having proposed an Orthodox Christmas truce on Friday. President Zelensky has rejected this proposal.
Over the course of the war, this newspaper has been able to meet several of those made their way to Suffolk, and the host families who welcomed them.
Steve Bain and his wife, Nicky, from Felixstowe were amongst the first in Suffolk to welcome refugees from Ukraine into their home.
Andrii Khomyshenko, Anhelina Postupalenko and Kareryna Rudnystska arrived in the town in April last year.
Mr Khomyshenko came to live with Mr and Mrs Bain, while the two women went to live with a nearby family.
Mr Bain was pleased to say that Mr Khomyshenko has now been reunited with his wife, daughter and mother. The family moved into a flat in Felixstowe in June.
Ms Postupalenko and Ms Rudnystska have also now found a flat together in the town.
Mr and Mrs Bain have since welcomed another refugee from Ukraine, 29-year-old Olena and her Yorkshire Terrier, Stiven.
“Olena has been with us now for just over six months,” explained Mr Bain.
“I am very lucky because my family is wonderful,” said Olena. “They help me with everything. If I am home late from work, they will cook me dinner, or they will walk my dog when I cannot.
“They are the most wonderful and kind people I have ever met.”
Olena will be spending January 7 with some Ukrainian friends, and says they may attend Church together.
She spent the western Christmas Day with the Bain family, and their two adult children who came to stay.
“Olena bought presents, not just for my wife and myself but for my son, his girlfriend and my daughter,” said Mr Bain.
“It felt like she was a part of our family, and she probably always will be part of our family.
“So will Andrii. On Christmas Day, he came round with a cake his wife had made us, and we had taken presents over to them.”
As of October 25, there were 1,169 Ukrainian refugees who had arrived in Suffolk.
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