The Magnificent Feast of the Entry into the Church of the Holy Mother of God: Date Celebrations in 2025 and New Calendar Realities
Every year, as autumn passes and winter approaches, Eastern Orthodox Christians in Ukraine celebrate one of the oldest and most significant religious holidays — the Entry into the Church of the Holy Mother of God, a festival that traditionally marks the beginning of the festive season and holds an essential place in the church calendar.
Known also as the Third Annunciation, this holiday is dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, and carries profound historical and spiritual significance.
In 2025, due to calendar changes, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (UOC and OCU) completed their transition to the new, Julian calendar in September, which shifted the dates of celebrations.
This year, the feast of the Entry will be observed on November 21 instead of December 4, reflecting the new schedule.
This is a crucial moment for believers, as it involves a shift in traditional celebrations and adherence to new religious customs that now mark dates 13 days earlier.
Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Decree No.
455/2023 on July 28, 2023, regulating the dates of national holidays and events, which also influence the ecclesiastical calendar.
Before major religious holidays, Christians of Eastern rites observe a fast, during which meat, dairy products, and eggs are forbidden.
This fasting period before Christmas in 2025 will be an essential part of spiritual preparation for many Ukrainians seeking to properly celebrate their religious traditions.