MP proposes to introduce Thanksgiving Day as a public holiday
Thanksgiving Day celebrations. Photo: nv.ua
On 16 October 2023, the Parliament registered a draft law on the celebration in Ukraine of "Thanksgiving Day to God", which will be marked on an "interfaith level". The corresponding draft law was published on the Rada website.
The initiator of the bill, MP Viktor Mialyk, proposes to make Thanksgiving Day a day off, and it will be celebrated on the last Sunday of September.
In an explanatory note, the MP noted that the introduction of Thanksgiving Day is necessary so that "the Ukrainian people can turn to God with gratitude for His mercy, which was shown to the Ukrainian people in different historical times and is manifested today".
"On this day everyone will have a special occasion to address the Almighty with a prayer for cleansing from sins and spiritual healing, with gratitude for well-being and good harvests in our country, asking for the preservation of peace, unity and independence of our state," Mialyk wrote.
Earlier, parliamentarians already wanted to introduce in Ukraine Thanksgiving Day, which was supposed to be a day off. Then it was proposed to celebrate the new holiday on 22 October, as this time is the "autumn season, rich in the harvest of fruits and vegetables".
Before Volodymyr Zelensky cancelled the celebration of Christmas on January 7, the days of four religious holidays were officially defined as days off in Ukraine. After the cancellation of Christmas celebrations, the number of days off was reduced to three.
As reported, the Ukrainian President signed a law cancelling the Christmas celebration on 7 January.
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.