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
Constantinople Patriarchate holds ecumenical prayer in Istanbul
The annual ecumenical prayer organized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate brought together hierarchs from various Christian confessions in Istanbul.
UOC Rivne Eparchy churches open warming centers for city residents
At warming centers set up at UOC churches in Rivne, anyone can warm up, have hot tea, and charge their phones.
Church celebrates Holy Theophany of our Lord
On the Feast of Theophany, Orthodox Christians commemorate the Baptism of the Lord – one of the most important events in Gospel history.
In Kharkiv region, drafters detain UOC cleric of Izium Eparchy
The priest was held for more than 72 hours, then without explanation was taken to a military unit – there is practically no contact with his family.
His Beatitude: Theophany water drives away demons' dark force from man
In his sermon before the rite of the Great Blessing of Water, the Primate of the UOC highlighted the significance of repentance and the power of holy water.
Nun from Cherkasy monastery about raiders: They had completely wild eyes
Nun Nanna gave testimony in the Cherkasy court about the events of November 20, 2023 – the day of the violent seizure of the Nativity of the Virgin Monastery.