"Catholic" Christmas to be a working day while "Orthodox" falls on day off

Prime Minister Shmyhal announced that there will be no day off for "Catholic" Christmas. Photo: Shmyhal's FB page

25 December will be a working day in 2023 though the authorities have given "Catholic Christmas" state status and declared it a day off. During martial law, this day will be a working day," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a meeting of the cabinet of Ministers. He published a video of the speech on his Facebook.

"This year for the first time throughout Ukraine we will celebrate Christmas according to the new style, 25 December,” said Shmyhal, without specifying the meaning of the pronoun "we". “After the war, this day will be a holiday and a day off. But now there is a war. Therefore, for all authorities and state enterprises, 25 December will be a working day, as well as for critical infrastructure enterprises."

At the same time, 7 January 2024, when the UOC will celebrate Christmas, falls on a Sunday. Thus, this day will be a day off.

As earlier reported, all denominations, except the UOC, decided to jointly greet Ukrainians on Christmas.

Read also

Chernihiv Jews equate vandalism against menorah to arson of TRC

The Jews of Chernihiv are convinced that the vandals who toppled the menorah acted on Russia’s orders.

Mukachevo Metropolitan hands over aid to AFU and children's boarding home

With the blessing of Metropolitan Theodore, charitable events were held in the eparchy.

OCU takes over UOC church in the village of Checheliivka

Raiders from the OCU, after cutting the locks, broke into the Intercession Church, which was sealed until the court's ruling.

UOC publishes new liturgical texts approved by Synod

The Synodal Liturgical Commission presented prayers and services approved by the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Khmelnytskyi hierarch offers condolences to family of man killed in shelling

Metropolitan Victor addressed the faithful following the shelling of Khmelnytskyi by Russian forces.

Sumy Eparchy donates over one million hryvnias for children with cancer

The press service of the Sumy Eparchy has reported on the results of the fourteenth charitable campaign “Bright Deeds for the Bright Feast.”