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
In Bukovina, mass production of kosher bread has been launched
Representatives of the Jewish community called the mass production of kosher bread at the regional level one of the few examples in Ukraine.
Patriarch Porfirije called the faithfulness of the people more important than the number of pilgrims to the Belt
The Serbian Orthodox Church reported the number of believers who came to venerate the Belt of the Mother of God.
Trump presents copy of Sitka Icon of Theotokos to monastery near St. Petersburg
The President of the United States gifted an Orthodox icon to the Trinity-Sergius Hermitage in response to Vladimir Putin's diplomatic gesture in Anchorage.
Persecuted UOC community in Rzhavyntsi celebrates patronal feast
Believers celebrated Pentecost in the church they had built with their own hands after the forcible seizure of their former sanctuary by OCU supporters.
In Madrid, thousands of people march against abortion and euthanasia
Annual march "Sí a la Vida" ("Yes to Life") took place in Spain.
Rivne Eparchy hosts Orthodox youth congress "Unity Cup"
Orthodox youth of the Dubno region gathered for joint prayer, fellowship and spiritual strengthening.