The OCU explained the difference between the Julian and New Julian calendars
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In July of this year, the Local Council must approve a decision on calendar reform in Ukraine, as a result of which the state will switch from the Julian to the New Julian calendar of holidays. The differences between the Julian and New Julian calendars were explained in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The New Julian calendar lacks the drawback of the Julian calendar and is closer to astronomical events than the Gregorian calendar. So the New Julian calendar is an improved form of the Julian calendar, where 7 days are “skipped” for 900 years (whereas the Gregorian calendar has 3 days for 400 years). Photo: dogi78/Depositphotos In the period from March 1, 1600 to February 28, 2800, the New Julian calendar completely coincides with the Gregorian calendar. It is currently used by the majority of Orthodox churches in the world. Sometimes, within the limits of one Local Church, the coexistence of different calendar traditions is acceptable. The OCU adds that now Ukraine is ready to join the majority of Local Orthodox Churches by introducing the New Julian calendar, as more accurate astronomically and ecclesiastically accepted, while preserving the traditional Easter. How and when did the Julian calendar work? The Julian calendar was introduced by Julius Caesar before Christmas and was effective from January 1, 45. The calendar has a secular origin, it was used to count the years in the Roman Empire at that time. At that time, the Julian calendar was considered the best, but every 128 years it accumulated a discrepancy of one day between the astronomical (solar) and calendar (calculated by the formula) equinoxes. As of 2023, the difference between the actual (astronomical) equinox and the date of March 21, on which the equinox should fall, is 13 days. As noted in the OCU, the discrepancy between real astronomical events and calendar dates leads to the fact that the celebration of all non-transitional holidays is gradually shifted forward. “Over time, for example, the Christmas holiday will fall on the time of preparation for Great Lent and even on Lent itself, which is absurd,” the OCU emphasizes. In 1582, to replace the Julian calendar, Pope Gregory XIII introduced an astronomically more “modern” calendar – the Gregorian. After that, the Catholic Church and a number of European countries switched to the updated calendar in the 16th century. “The method of implementing the calendar, when its acceptance or rejection was associated with the recognition of the highest religious authority of the Roman popes, became one of the reasons for the opposition to the Gregorian calendar reform among Orthodox and Protestants. Therefore, the Eastern Orthodox Churches continued to use the traditional Julian calendar”, – explained in Orthodox Church of Ukraine. In order to correct the calendar inaccuracy that had accumulated over the centuries, in 1923, at the Synax of representatives of the Orthodox Churches in Constantinople, under the chairmanship of Ecumenical Patriarch Meletius IV, an updated, so-called New Julian calendar was approved. How will the dates of the holidays change? Photo: Siempreverde/Depositphotos The rules for calculating the date of Easter and dependent on it – moving holidays, such as the Ascension of Christ or Pentecost will be preserved. At the same time, the dates of fixed holidays (Christmas, Ascension, Intercession of the Holy Mother of God and others) will change – 13 days back. The decision of the Council of Bishops on the calendar reform will be approved by the Local Council convening in July. Communities that want to follow the old calendar in the future will be able to do so after a decision by a qualified majority of the community. As a reminder, OCU will switch to a new calendar from September 1. Read also: Can you go to church without a headscarf? OCU explains
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