VR proposes making November 30 a public holiday in honor of Apostle Andrew
The initiative envisions recognizing November 30 as a national holiday intended to highlight the significance of the Apostle Andrew in Ukraine’s spiritual history and tradition.
On December 8, 2025, Draft Law No. 14261 was registered in the Verkhovna Rada, proposing an amendment to Article 73 of the Labor Code that would introduce a new public and non-working holiday – the Day of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, reports the Judicial and Legal Gazette.
The document proposes establishing an annual state celebration on November 30. If adopted, this date will become an official public holiday enshrined in labor legislation. The Committee on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans’ Rights has been designated as the lead committee for consideration.
The authors of the initiative emphasize that the holiday should commemorate the Apostle Andrew’s role in Ukraine’s spiritual history and strengthen national identity. In the explanatory note, lawmakers cite ancient sources according to which the apostle visited the hills of Kyiv and blessed the future city.
It is separately noted that the establishment of the holiday aligns with the OCU’s and UGCC’s transition to the New Julian calendar, where the Apostle’s feast is celebrated on November 30. According to the initiators, this will help synchronize state and church dates.
The proposal also frames honoring the Apostle Andrew at the state level as a “restoration of historical justice” and a response to Russia’s attempts to appropriate the religious heritage of Ancient Rus’.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Rada had turned its attention to combating antisemitism.
