"Catholic" Christmas to be a working day while "Orthodox" falls on day off
Prime Minister Shmyhal announced that there will be no day off for "Catholic" Christmas. Photo: Shmyhal's FB page
25 December will be a working day in 2023 though the authorities have given "Catholic Christmas" state status and declared it a day off. During martial law, this day will be a working day," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a meeting of the cabinet of Ministers. He published a video of the speech on his Facebook.
"This year for the first time throughout Ukraine we will celebrate Christmas according to the new style, 25 December,” said Shmyhal, without specifying the meaning of the pronoun "we". “After the war, this day will be a holiday and a day off. But now there is a war. Therefore, for all authorities and state enterprises, 25 December will be a working day, as well as for critical infrastructure enterprises."
At the same time, 7 January 2024, when the UOC will celebrate Christmas, falls on a Sunday. Thus, this day will be a day off.
As earlier reported, all denominations, except the UOC, decided to jointly greet Ukrainians on Christmas.
Read also
TRC comments on situation with detention of Metropolitan Longin’s children
The agency reported that after the necessary documents were provided, the man was given the opportunity to formalize a deferral.
Media: Metropolitan Longin’s children released from the TRC
The release was made possible only thanks to the courageous and steadfast position of the metropolitan and the reaction of the entire Orthodox community.
DESS says how many UOC churches have "transferred" to OCU since war started
As of early 2024, there were 10,919 UOC religious organizations in Ukraine, 10,586 of which are religious communities.
Metropolitan Longin to Zelensky: Release my son from TRC
Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Bancheny addressed an appeal to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Prayers further offered for imprisoned UOJ journalists at Lavra's standing
People pray to the Lord to protect the "prisoners of conscience" from all sorrow, trouble, need, and illness.
Metropolitan Theodosiy's house arrest extended
The bishop participated in the hearing via videoconference, but opponents of the UOC were active near the courthouse.