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
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.