Ukraine Debates Celebrating Christmas Twice over Crimea

[CopyBoy]

Some countries banned Christmas. Ukraine is debating celebrating it twice.

Following the lead of the Russian Orthodox Church, Ukraine celebrates Christmas on January 7. But after the annexation of Crimea in February 2014, relations have been fraying between the Russian Orthodox Church—known in Ukraine as the Moscow Patriarchate—and the Ukrainian faithful.

Now two controversial petitions to add December 25 as an officially recognized holiday are circulating, a change that would bring Ukraine more in line with the West and take another step back from Russia.

christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/january/ukraine-debates-celebrating-christmas-twice-over-crimea.html

 

[ChadS]

Where I grew up we had our long Christmas break at the end of December through early January. We went back to school for a few days and then we had a day off for Orthodox Christmas. When I tell people what we did they look at me like they never heard such a thing.

I suppose if it works in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania, it might work there too. It might also be a good way to set aside some of the animosity that exists on both sides.

ChadS

 

[Augustine]

I’m not sure how the Ukrainian Orthodox would spin this. This particular Church, as well as many other Orthodox Churches, already celebrates Christmas on December 25, only it uses the Julian calendar, when the date is January 7 in the Gregorian calendar. And using the Gregorian calendar is a thorny issue among the Orthodox Churches…

Christus natus est!