Programmer’s Day Replaces Traditional January 7 Nativity in Official Ukrainian Calendar
Photo: visitukraine.today
KYIV, UKRAINE — On December 24, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a presidential decree designating January 7—traditionally Christmas Day in Ukraine—as the new professional holiday, Programmer’s Day. The decree, published by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, reflects ongoing reforms to the national calendar aimed at aligning public holidays with Ukrainian state ideology.
Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, explained that the reforms create a unified “calendar map” emphasizing national identity, noting that calendar dates carry symbolic meaning about who is “with us and who is against us.” He cited the recent official move of Christmas to December 25 as part of this process.
Despite the state decree, January 7 remains Christmas for many Orthodox Christians worldwide, including the Jerusalem Patriarchate, Serbian, Georgian, Polish, and Macedonian Orthodox Churches, as well as Mount Athos monasteries. Millions of Ukrainian Orthodox believers continue to observe January 7 in accordance with centuries-old liturgical tradition.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a "priest" blogger of the OCU called traditional Nativity fasting rules a Russian invention.
Read also
Programmer’s Day Replaces Traditional January 7 Nativity in Official Ukrainian Calendar
Ukraine has officially designated January 7 as Programmer’s Day, though millions of Orthodox believers will continue to celebrate Christmas on that date.
Met. Theodosiy Discharged from Hospital, Continues Recovery at Home
Cherkasy Eparchy says hierarch remains under medical supervision and has not yet resumed full pastoral duties after suspected poisoning.
Court Extends Preventive Measure for Met. Theodosiy While Rejecting 'Ukrainophobic' Claims
A Cherkasy court extended Met. Theodosiy’s preventive measure on procedural grounds while explicitly rejecting prosecutors’ claims that he held “Ukrainophobic” views or posed a risk to witnesses.
Christ the Saviour Seminary Announces Spring 2026 Vocations Retreat
Christ the Saviour Seminary is inviting men discerning a call to Church ministry to attend its Spring 2026 Vocations Retreat in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on May 15–17.
Bp. Irinej Ordains Christopher Giovanis to the Holy Diaconate
The Parish of the Holy Resurrection of Christ in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, celebrated a historic milestone with the ordination of Christopher Giovanis to the Holy Diaconate under Bishop Irinej amid clergy and faithful from across the region.
UOC Parishioners Demand Answers Over Priest’s Forced Mobilization
UOC parishioners in Uzhhorod protested the detention and mobilization of their priest, Archpriest Vasyl Drahun, demanding legal accountability and respect for conscience.