There will be new public religious holidays in Ukraine
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky. Photo: slovoidilo.ua
On July 30, 2020, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky entrusted the Cabinet of Ministers to work on the issue of granting national status to certain religious holidays, according to the website of the Head of State.
Decree No. 303/2020, signed by Zelensky, mentions such religious holidays as Ramadan Bayram, Kurban Bayram, Passover, Rosh Hashana, Hanukkah, Easter of Western Christians and some others.
The press service of the Office of the President says that "such a proposal is submitted with the aim of ensuring the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, realizing equal rights and opportunities for all believers, honoring the history, culture, traditions of Ukrainian society as multinational and multi-confessional."
According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers must study this issue and develop proposals for interaction with the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches, religious organizations and the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, and then submit a corresponding bill for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky will make Islamic holidays public.
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.