Ukrainian parliament registers bill to establish Bible Day
Lawmakers have proposed establishing Bible Day to strengthen moral values and preserve the country’s spiritual heritage.
Members of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada have registered a bill proposing a new national observance – Bible Day, or Holy Scripture Day – to be celebrated annually on October 31 without introducing an additional public holiday.
The bill’s sponsors chose October 31 for a reason: on that date in 1903, the first complete translation of the Bible into modern Ukrainian was published in Vienna. The lawmakers explained that the observance is intended to promote strong moral values, foster respect for spiritual heritage, and recognize the role of Holy Scripture in the development of Ukrainian culture, language, and national identity.
The bill recommends that the government establish an organizing committee to prepare the celebrations. The Ministry of Education would be tasked with arranging themed lectures at educational institutions, while the Ministry of Culture would organize exhibitions of early printed books and historical documents in libraries and museums.
The State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting would be responsible for coordinating media coverage, the National Bank would be encouraged to issue a commemorative coin, and Ukrposhta, Ukraine’s national postal service, would be asked to release a themed stamp and envelope.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that a petition had been launched in Ukraine calling for Bible readings in kindergartens and schools.
