Shevchuk: Orthodox and Catholics should celebrate Easter together

Shevchuk and Dumenko. Photo: OCU

The head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk stated in his Easter sermon that the calendar reform of the UGCC and the OCU proved insufficient for celebrating Easter with the Western world. He explained why in the current year 2026, Greek Catholics of Ukraine celebrated Easter according to the Eastern Paschalion – together with the Orthodox, rather than according to the Western calendar, as other UGCC communities abroad do.

According to Shevchuk, Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops have made it their rule "not to do or say anything that could offend Orthodox brothers or create additional difficulties for achieving unity." This is precisely why, when conducting the calendar reform, the UGCC in Ukraine decided to synchronize the date of Easter with the Eastern tradition.

The head of the UGCC acknowledged that for many believers, such a decision came as a surprise. However, in his opinion, division among Christians continues to exist because two Paschalions remain – Eastern and Western, based on different interpretations of the decrees of the First Council of Nicaea.

"We want to be that voice from Kyiv to all Christians: let us seek a common opportunity to celebrate Easter. May East and West no longer be divided on this holy day of unity," Shevchuk declared.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to Shevchuk, certain processes in the 16th century divided the Christians of Ukraine, though the head of the UGCC did not specify what those processes were.

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