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
Orthodox and Catholic bishops make joint visit to Mount Athos
The head of the Phanar blessed a joint pilgrimage to Mount Athos by Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops.
UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary
Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.
Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”
The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl
UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.
Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom
The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.
Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million
Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.