OCU announces calendar reform
The “Synod” of the OCU recommended that its parishes not rush to switch to the New Julian calendar until a “general church” decision is made.
The issue of implementation of a general calendar reform in the OCU will be considered by its next “bishops' council”, but for now, parishes and “monasteries” can apply for permission to adopt a new calendar style. This is discussed in the resolution passed today at a meeting of the “synod” of the OCU.
According to the document, parishes and "monasteries" were given the right, through diocesan "bishops", to ask the "synod" for a "blessing for the use of the New Julian calendar in the practice of ministry." The transition to a new style is possible if the initiative is supported by at least two-thirds of the members of the religious community.
In the "synod" Dumenko noted that for the time being such transitions are allowed as an exception, "by oikonomia", and they recommend not to rush with such petitions, waiting for a "general church" decision.
As the UOJ reported, in December 2022, the head of the OCU, Epifaniy Dumenko, and the head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, "agreed on positions" on the reform of the church calendar and decided to create a joint working group to develop specific proposals.