CALENDAR REFORM IN THE CHURCHES OF UKRAINE: LITURGICAL TIME AND TRANSFORMATIONS OF CHURCH CULTURE IN RECENT HISTORY

Abstract

In this scientific article, the calendar reform in the churches of Ukraine is analyzed from the point of view of the organization of liturgical time, which led to consequences in the divine service itself and culture as a whole. The relevance of the proposed topic is due to the fact that the calendar in the church tradition sets the annual rhythm of service, and also provides a structure for the cycle of holidays. In this context, it becomes clear that the transition to a different style inevitably affects the identity and everyday practices of believers. The purpose of the study is to clarify the prerequisites of calendar changes in modern history and assess how the adoption of the Revised Julian calendar (new style) affects church culture in the Orthodox cultural field. The methodological basis of this work was the historical and comparative culturological methods. In particular, scientific publications on the research issues, official documents and statements of the OCU regarding calendar decisions for 2023 were analyzed. The results of the study revealed that the Ukrainian model of reform is of a compromise nature. The changes mainly affected the fixed cycle of holidays, while Paschalia is preserved. This made it possible to avoid a sharp break in the rhythm of the liturgical year. It was also found that the key aspects of tension for the population are the dual calendar, the attachment of some believers to the usual celebration and the risks of local conflicts in communities. At the same time, the reform stimulates a rethinking of church communication, practices of service and symbolic markers of church membership. It is concluded that the calendar reform in Ukraine is not a one-time event, but a long process of cultural adaptation, in which liturgical time becomes a space for harmonizing tradition, social expectations and church values.