Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church moves fixed feasts to new calendar from September 1, leaving Easter dates unchanged

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) began celebrating its fixed feast days in a new calendar style on 1 September 2023. According to hromadske.ua, the decision was made by the Archiepiscopal Synod of the UGCC in Ukraine and announced by Major Archbishop Sviatoslav. The same report said the Synod acted in response to requests from the faithful and after consultation with clergy and monastics about the urgent need for calendar reform.

The reports agree that the change applies to fixed-date feasts and does not alter the calculation of Easter, which remains tied to the lunar calendar. 24tv.ua said the reform covers all immovable holidays rather than only Christmas. currenttime.tv, citing a statement that it attributed to the CYN, said many believers had asked for the change.

The reports differ in how they describe the new dates. currenttime.tv said Christmas will fall on December 25, the Bogorodytsia (Theophany) on January 6, and the Annunciation on March 25. 24tv.ua said Christmas in 2023 will be celebrated by the UGCC on December 25 rather than on January 7, 2024, and that, according to the Holy See, the blessing of water will take place on January 6. freeradio.com.ua described the shift as moving fixed feasts 13 days earlier. None of the reports gave further detail on how the date changes were calculated.

Under the transition, parishes or individual communities not yet ready for the move may keep the Julian calendar for fixed feasts until 2025, with the blessing of their diocesan bishop, according to freeradio.com.ua. currenttime.tv gave the end date as September 2025. Allowing parishes time to adjust is a practical step toward keeping the community together (John 17:21).