OCU explains why it intends to switch to a new calendar style
According to Dumenko's associates, abandoning the Julian calendar is another step in leaving the influence zone of the Russian Orthodox Church and Russia, reports 5ua.
"The point is put where we identify ourselves with the event and with European culture, with European traditions and distance ourselves from the post-Sovietism that Russia now represents," notes Liudmila Filippovych, vice-president of the Ukrainian Association of Religious Studies.
One of the "hierarchs" of the OCU, Afanasiy Yavorsky, noted that after the transition to the new calendar, the UOC will start "speculating" on the issue, calling them Catholics.
"We seek to join most of the Orthodox churches in the world because the old Julian calendar is inaccurate," Yavorsky added.
As reported, the OCU "synod" allowed rectors to decide themselves on the Christmas celebration date.
Read also
Dumenko "blesses" SBU facility for forensic examination
The head of the OCU noted the "special role" of the Institute of Special Technology and Forensic Expertise of the SBU.
ROC head: Attempts to impose special powers of Pat. Bartholomew are sinful
Patriarch Kirill stated that the doctrine of special powers of the Patriarch of Constantinople is being imposed from outside.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces LGBT festival near Sodom and Gomorrah
Israeli authorities are promoting a large-scale gay event at the Dead Sea on social media, which has caused criticism and bewilderment among Christians.
In Bila Tserkva, man nearly killed for greeting "Christ is risen!"
Two non-Orthodox individuals aged 19 and 23 tracked down a 35-year-old Orthodox Christian after an Easter greeting, knocked him down and inflicted several knife wounds to his abdomen and neck.
In Uganda, Islamists kill Protestant pastor after sermon
In Uganda, a Protestant church pastor who preached among Muslims was stabbed to death after a sermon.
Spanish court rules Jehovah’s Witnesses may be called a “destructive sect”
A court in Spain has upheld the right of critics of Jehovah’s Witnesses to speak openly about the group’s alleged harmfulness and danger to society.