The Head of UGCC Proclaims Synod-Approved Menaion

The decree of proclamation and the Menologion itself were published on October 17 on the official website of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (ugcc.ua).

"Completing the procedure provided by law, in accordance with canon 112 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, we, by the authority given to us, proclaim the Menologion of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and decree that it shall enter into legal force two months from the date of electronic publication of this legislative document on the official website of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church," the Decree states.

Bishop Andriy Khimyak, the Secretary of the Synod of UGCC Bishops, explained that several important factors contributed to the update: the need to include new martyrs in the Menologion, each of whom has their special day and saints honored by the people of Ukraine. It was also necessary to harmonize the three official calendars that had some differences among them. "To the updated Menologion, we added some saints, for example, St. Hedwig, the granddaughter of Yaroslav the Wise, who was honored in the Latin tradition. She is a blessed of the entire Catholic Church and is particularly venerated, especially in the German Exarchate, which is part of our Church. Therefore, St. Hedwig is now included in the calendar and will be popularized."

Additionally, according to the Secretary of the Synod of UGCC Bishops, the Menologion includes translations of some Greek names that have Ukrainian equivalents so that these days can be celebrated fittingly. Some feasts with their ante-feasts and after-feasts were also changed based on a particular law.

"We wanted to review the Menologion, update it, and approve it so that our whole Church could live in one spirit and one breath, especially considering that this year we already have one common calendar, a common Christmas, and other holidays," noted Bishop Andriy.

The Menologion is a list of immovable feasts and memorials of saints and blessed individuals honored by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church throughout the liturgical (ecclesiastical) year, which begins on September 1.

The decree for the proclamation of the Menologion of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has been issued.