The Orthodox Church of Ukraine is practically ready for the transition to the New Julian calendar.
The Primate of the OCU stated this in a comment to Ukrinform.
“OCU is almost ready for the transition to the New Julian calendar. We only need to make a final decision at the Local Council, which will be held on July 27. We are an open, cathedral Church, so we make decisions collegially,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy.
He said that the decision to switch to the New Julian calendar has already been adopted by the members of the Synod of the Bishops’ Council, and it remains to be finally approved by the Local Cathedral. In this context, the Primate of the OCU noted that during the Council of Bishops, 99% of the participants supported the relevant move.
The Metropolitan emphasized that now the awareness campaign has been launched to promote transition to the new calendar among the population. According to him, people show no resistance because it is not imposed by force.
“Whoever wishes to stay with the old calendar for a certain time will do so. But now it is clear that this will be a minority. The absolute majority will decide on the transition from September 1 to the New Julian calendar,” added the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Metropolitan Epifaniy emphasized that the time has come for this move, since most Churches in the world operate by the New Julian calendar, while only the Russian Orthodox Church and several satellites follow the old-style calendar.
“The time has come for us to join the majority in the Orthodox world and celebrate Orthodox holidays along their side,” the Metropolitan stated.
He urged everyone to switch to the New Julian calendar.
On May 24, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine officially announced the decision to switch to the New Julian calendar. The general use of the New Julian calendar, after the approval of this decision by the Local Council on July 27, will be introduced from September 1, 2023.
