On Sunday, January 7, Metropolitan Epiphany of Kyiv and All Ukraine conducts a festive service in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. This is the first ever liturgy of the Primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
Worship starts at 9:00 am. The OCU invites Ukrainian believers to pray and asks to follow additional announcements. Where you can watch the broadcast – read the material on Channel 24.
Christmas service in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra
The solemn Christmas service in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra began at 9:00. The liturgy is attended by thousands of believers who celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar.
Christmas service in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra: watch the video
What does the OCU say about the transition to a new calendar
Today, the feast of the Nativity of Christ is celebrated in Orthodox churches using the Julian calendar. At the end of last year, there was more discussion in society on the topic of when it is better to celebrate this holiday. In Ukraine, the number of fans of the transition to the Gregorian and New Julian calendars has significantly increased (both provide for the celebration of Christmas on December 25, and, accordingly, the change in the dates of other holidays, but the date of Easter is different).
On December 25, at a sermon, Metropolitan Epiphanius noted that in addition to a large number of supporters of the calendar reform, there are also many who oppose such changes. In 2022, for the first time in communities that expressed such a desire, Christmas services were held on December 25, which was noted by the Primate of the OCU.
This year, the OCU will study the experience gained from the current holidays and will discuss further steps. However, the priority for the church is to preserve the unity of society.
At the next meeting of the Synod, we will study the experience gained, both positive and negative. And in the future, we will exclusively conciliarly decide on further steps, with the main goal: not to allow opponents or stupid zealots of different ideas to multiply divisions in the Church,” Metropolitan Epiphanius emphasized.
Recall that at the end of December 2022, a poll was held in Diy regarding what date Ukrainians prefer to celebrate Christmas. It was attended by 1.5 million citizens, of which more than 900 thousand (that is, almost 59%) voted for December 25. The celebration of January 7 was preferred by more than 390,000 survey participants (i.e., more than 25% of people).
