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Displaced Ukrainians living in Australia celebrate Orthodox Easter for last time

Uliana Kaletska, far right, and her family are among 5,000 people who have fled Ukraine for Australia. (ABC News: Xanthe Gregory)

This is the last time displaced Ukrainian Uliana Kaletska will be celebrating Orthodox Easter.

The community gathered in churches across Australia on Sunday to mark the resurrection of Christ.

However, after this year, Ukrainian Catholics will observe Easter at the same time as most Western countries.

"As a deliberate decision to separate ourselves even further from Russia and Moscow, it's been decided to adopt the Gregorian calendar," the Ukrainian Council of NSW Vice-President Andrew Mencinsky said.

"So, from next year, Ukrainian Easter and Ukrainian Christmas will be celebrated at the same time as Latin Easter and Latin Christmas."

Messages of hope and inspiration dominated the service at St Andrew's Ukranian Catholic Church. (ABC News: Xanthe Gregory)

At Lidcombe's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Sydney's west, the message was one of hope and a reminder that those fighting, killed or displaced by the battle will be protected.

Father Simon Ckuj led the service and called for an end to the shelling and bloodshed.

He said 11 people were killed on Orthodox Good Friday during a missile attack.

"The missiles keep flying and falling upon our peace-loving people," Father Ckuj said.

Ms Kaletska is among 5,000 people who fled Ukraine for Australia. She now lives in a quiet suburb of Sydney's inner west, with her mother and two sons.

"They needed to grow up. They needed to study. They needed to have a good education, and I think they needed a good life," Ms Kaletska said.

She left behind her husband and other family members.

"It's very hard, because the war is going and not stopping. You worry about everything," she explained.

Marta Artemenko and her daughter left Kyiv in February 2022. (ABC News: Xanthe Gregory)

Marta Artemenko and her 16-year-old daughter left their home in Kyiv when war broke out in February 2022.

"Australia is a nice place to start your life from scratch and it's a big Ukrainian community in Australia," Ms Artemenko said.

However, her mother did not want to leave.

"It's really hard to celebrate, to feel the joy, because I do not know what's happening with my mum now. There was another missile attack just two days ago."

Ms Artemenko is studying a Masters of Business, which she plans to put into practise when the war eventually ends.

"They will definitely need people who will rebuild the country, so I'm trying to be ready for that," Ms Artemenko said.

Andrew Mencinsky (left) is optimistic about the upcoming spring offensive. (ABC News: Xanthe Gregory)

It's been more than 400 days since Russia's invasion, with the Group of Seven nations recently providing a weapons and funding boost to assist Ukrainian efforts.

Mr Mencinsky welcomes all support and is particularly optimistic about the upcoming spring offensive.

"Family and friends are still at risk of death," Mr Mencinsky said.

"As soon as we can use the weapons that Australia is providing, and the West is providing, the sooner we can drive Russia out of Ukraine."

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