New law moves Ukrainian Christmas from Jan 7 to Dec 25, other holidays changed too

The New Voice of Ukraine
·1 min read
3
The Verkhovna Rada changed the dates of public holidays
The Verkhovna Rada changed the dates of public holidays

The Ukrainian parliament has adopted a law that will change the dates of public holidays in Ukraine, Golos MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported on Telegram.

From now on, Christmas will be celebrated on Dec. 25, not Jan. 7.

Read also: Famous Ukrainians reveal when their families celebrate Christmas

Instead of July 28, Ukrainian Statehood Day will be celebrated on July 15, although this year the holiday will be celebrated on the old date, as the changes will come into force on July 28.

Defender of Ukraine Day and the Intercession of the Theotokos will be celebrated on Oct. 1 instead of Oct. 14.

The law garnered the support of 241 MPs, with only two voting against. The purpose of the law is to remove links to Russian holidays in Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine celebrates Orthodox Easter – photo report

On June 28, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy registered a draft law in the Verkhovna Rada proposing to change the dates of three public holidays: Christmas, Ukrainian Statehood Day, and Defenders Day.

Earlier, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) decided to switch to the Revised Julian calendar from Sept. 1, 2023.

This means that from Sept. 1, 2023, the faithful of the OCU will begin to celebrate religious holidays according to the new calendar:

  • Christmas will be celebrated on Dec. 25 instead of Jan. 7

  • St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6 instead of Dec. 19

  • Epiphany - on Jan. 6 instead of Jan. 19

At the same time, the date of Easter and some other holidays will not change.

We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine