On July 27, the First Local Council of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) backed the transition to the New Julian calendar from September 1, 2023.
A total of 156 delegates of the Council voted for the transition to the New Julian calendar, and five voted against it, reports religious scholar Andriy Smirnov.
At the same time, it was emphasized that the OCU parishes and monasteries, if they wish (which must be officially formalized at the parish meeting – by minutes), may remain with the old calendar.
The transition to the New Julian calendar is a historic event for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The New Julian calendar is that used by most Orthodox churches across the world. It is based on the Gregorian calendar, which is the most common calendar in the world.
The transition to the New Julian calendar will allow the OCU to get closer to other Orthodox churches and establish closer cooperation with them. It will also have a positive impact on the ecumenical dialogue between the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and other Christian churches.
The transition to the New Julian calendar is an important step in the development of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. It will allow the OCU to become a full member of world Orthodoxy and strengthen its position in the ecumenical dialogue.
Church holidays in OCU will be celebrated closer to the dates of natural phenomena. This will allow believers to better understand and perceive the spiritual meaning of these holidays.
