OCU hierarch accuses UOC of using Julian calendar to divide Ukrainians

The head of the Chernihiv diocese of the OCU, Antony Firley, criticized the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), accusing it of deliberately using the Julian calendar, in particular the celebration of Christmas on January 7, as a tool to divide Ukrainian society and exert political influence. According to Cheline TV, Firley also called the UOC «a tool of the chauvinistic Russian empire.»

In an interview with the local channel Cheline TV, Firley said that the UOC allegedly deliberately observes Christmas according to the Julian calendar (January 7), as well as other holidays, in order to politically influence believers.

The OCU hierarch assured that the UOC «is a tool in the hands of the chauvinistic Russian Empire.» According to him, the calendar is used by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as «a tool for manipulation, in order to divide society, to divide society within Ukraine.»

Firley claims that the UOC allegedly uses «liturgical elements for its manipulation, for its agitation, for its political influence.» At the same time, the «bishop» admitted that until the 90s of the last century, Ukrainian believers were part of the Russian Orthodox Church.

As reported, in the Ivano-Frankivsk region , three parishes of the OCU decided to celebrate Christmas on January 7, 2025, continuing to adhere to the old style. This comes amid a general transition of the Church to the New Julian calendar, which provides for the celebration of Christmas on December 25.