Are those celebrating Christmas on January 7 now considered enemies?
As expected, the state’s introduction of the Revised Julian/Gregorian calendar for the OCU and UGCC has become yet another tool for dividing Ukrainians.
Now, for those who are always looking for enemies, it has become even easier to find them. The "enemies" are those who continue to celebrate holidays as before, according to the Julian calendar, including Christmas on January 7.
The head of the Volyn Regional Administration, Yuriy Nedopad, speaking from the pulpit of the OCU's Lutsk Cathedral, declared that in addition to the war on the frontlines, there is now a war "over dates." In this "war," supporters of December 25 (the good ones, of course) are pitted against those who celebrate Christmas on January 7 (the enemies). Nedopad left no room for compromise: "We will have victory not only on the frontlines but also in spiritual life. The enemy must disappear, just like Russia, which has been preventing us from living and developing for thousands of years."
While Nedopad may lack expertise in religious matters, the real issue lies in his full support from OCU "Metropolitan" Mykhailo Zinkevych. Zinkevych implied that those who follow the Julian calendar are not truly Ukrainians and that they can only be spoken about in vulgar terms. Why such conclusions? His words make it clear: "We celebrate on the 25th with Ukraine, and with those who are 'la-la-la' on the 7th. Make your choice."
The "la-la-la" refers to the infamous vulgar chant about Putin. Setting aside the morality and ethics of such words coming from the pulpit, let’s simply remember that Christmas on January 7 is celebrated by:
- The Jerusalem Church
- The Georgian Church
- The Serbian Church
- The Macedonian Church
- The Polish Church
- Mount Athos
Apparently, Zinkevych also addresses his vulgar songs to them.
