Ukrainian Orthodox Church adopts Revised Julian calendar, aligning with global Christian community

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) approved the transition to the Revised Julian calendar from the Julian calendar, shifting from Russian Orthodox tradition.

The TSN TV channel reports, citing sources, that the Synod of Bishops gathered in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a historic Eastern Orthodox Christian monastery, and voted to change the church calendar on Wednesday, May 24. Only one bishop was against the transition to the new church calendar, and another participant abstained.

Later, the Church's press service confirmed the decision in a statement on Facebook, adding that the final church council will adopt a formal decision on July 27, 2023. 

According to the statement, the issue of calendar reform has long been discussed both in society and in the Church. "We see that year by year the number of supporters of the transition to the updated, modern calendar, which the majority of Orthodox Churches has used for a long time, is growing," the OCU said.

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine switches to the Revised Julian calendar from September 1, 2023, but retains the right to use the old calendar for parishes and monasteries.

"Parishes and monasteries that wish to adhere to the old calendar will have this opportunity. The calendar reform will take place without coercion, gradually and consciously," the statement reads.

Now, the majority of Ukrainian Christians will celebrate Christmas on December 25 instead of January 7. The Intercession will fall on October 1, the Epiphany on January 6, and St. Nicholas on December 6. However, this change will not apply to Easter and several other holidays, including the Trinity.

The day before, the Metropolitan Epiphany of Kyiv and All Ukraine announced the transition to the new church calendar. Metropolitan Oleksandr (Drabinko) of Pereyaslav and Vishnevsky said the change to the new church calendar would not be mandatory.