Rivne Eparchy of OCU to celebrate Christmas on 25 December
On December 5, 2022, during a meeting chaired by "Archbishop" Hilarion of Rivne and Ostroh, it was decided to celebrate Christmas in the Rivne Eparchy of the OCU on December 25, reports the website of the OCU eparchy.
"We understand that many Orthodox families of our eparchy have already decided to celebrate Christmas on December 25. Therefore, we recommend that on this day churches of the Rivne Eparchy sing Christmas carols and serve the Akathist to the Nativity of Christ," the message says.
The OCU added that it will make "a gradual transition to the 'new calendar,' so that this becomes a comfortable, thoughtful and conscious decision of each believer", and this requires "educational work, especially for the older generation, for whom the celebration of Christmas according to the Julian calendar has become more of a habit, rather than a spiritual and moral conviction".
The OCU noted that "with the transition to the New Julian calendar, other major feasts, such as the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Nicholas Day, Epiphany, and others will have to be transferred," and expressed hope that "gradually the Orthodox of Ukraine will celebrate Christmas together with all Christians.
As earlier reported, a UOC cleric said that non-Christians and godless people force people to change the date of Christmas.
Read also
Most Britons oppose abortions, poll finds
The survey found that 62% of UK residents support legal protection for unborn children from the moment their heartbeat is first detected.
Annual academic conference opens at Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary
The fifteenth annual conference was dedicated to the anniversaries of Prince Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrožský and Metropolitan Rafail (Zaborovský).
Feminists attack Roman Catholic churches in Latin America
During protest actions, members of radical groups attacked cathedrals in several Latin American countries, assaulted police officers, and threw paint at believers.
UOC hierarch takes part in German bishops’ conference
Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka took part in the OBKD assembly in Düsseldorf.
Ivano-Frankivsk scraps school project planned on demolished UOC church site
The authorities in Ivano-Frankivsk have dropped plans to build the school for whose construction a UOC church was demolished.
Shostatsky to UOC: If you are so righteous – do not cling to your churches
The OCU metropolitan called on UOC faithful and clergy to pray rather than defend their churches from seizures.