On Sunday Sep. 9, 2023, during the communal potluck after the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Jaroslaw initiated a conversation in anticipation of the official parish discussions to be held on Sep. 24 (Cathedral) and Oct. 1 (Chapel), exploring what changing to the new (new-Julian) calendar will look like, and encouraging people to share their opinions, comments and concerns.

See the event: Sep. 24: Parish Discussion about Church Calendar Change (Cathedral)

There were many that voiced support for changing calendars (as a way to maintain unity and solidarity with those in Ukraine) but many also voiced a concern that changing calendars would be a significant loss of identity for themselves (those individuals who strongly identify with the Nativity being celebrated on Jan. 7).

Some observations

• There seems to a be tendency for many of the recent newcomers to be in favour of changing calendars.

• There seems to be a tendency for others to feel that they would be losing something.

• There WOULD STILL BE a celebration on Jan. 6 & 7 - that of Theophany (Йордан та Йорданська вечеря).

• That the goal is for the parish (both the temple of the Cathedral and of the Chapel) to make a decision in unity.

• That the decision can take some time.

A Question to Ask Ourselves

Fr. Jaroslaw finished with this question:

How will we feel when the majority of Ukraine celebrates the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour on Dec. 25 and we are not?