Zelensky approves a new public holiday for the Baptism of Rus Day

Vladimir Zelensky. Photo: president.gov.ua

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky approved a new holiday – the Day of Ukrainian Statehood. It will be celebrated on the Day of the Baptism of Rus.

Zelensky announced his decision at a solemn military parade, which took place on August 24 in Kyiv on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, the presidential press service reported.

The Head of State noted that Ukrainians are “not orphans and not foundlings,” but the descendants of a powerful country that was the center of Europe and the heirs of the statehood that existed more than a thousand years ago.

“We are a young family from the glorious dynasty of Kyivan Rus’ - Ukraine. From the ancestry of founders. Ancestry of baptists. From a brave ancestry. Wise ancestry. Cossack ancestry. We are not orphans or foundlings. We are descendants of a powerful country that was the center of Europe. But we should not only feel accordingly. We must behave accordingly. <...>

And we are beginning to celebrate the Day of Ukrainian Statehood. We consider the year of Kyiv's foundation to be its starting point. The capital of Kyivan Rus’ - Ukraine, which is rightly called the city where it all begins. Orthodoxy originated here, the Old Slavonic language originated here, and its successor is the modern Ukrainian language. This is where our statehood began. We will celebrate the birth of our statehood on the day of renaissance of our statehood – on the Day of Christianization of Kyivan Rus’ - Ukraine. And I am going to sign a relevant decree today,” said Vladimir Zelensky.
    
The UOJ also wrote that the traditional "Blessing of Ukraine" in Sophia of Kyiv, which is held annually on Independence Day, was held without the participation of the head of Phanar: this was the position and requirement of the UOC.

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