The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) in 2025 will celebrate its religious holidays and events according to the revised Julian calendar, which ensures that the dates of immovable feast days coincide with the Catholic calendar. The transition to this calendar, which took place on September 1, 2023, was an important step toward harmonizing the liturgical life of the UGCC with modern calendar standards. This article provides an overview of key holidays, fasts, memorial days, and events that will define the spiritual life of Greek Catholics in 2025.
Twelfth Holidays
The Twelfth Holidays are twelve of the most important celebrations in the church calendar, divided into Lord's (dedicated to Jesus Christ) and Marian (dedicated to the Virgin Mary). Three of them are movable, meaning their dates depend on Easter, while nine are fixed dates. In 2025, these holidays will be observed as follows:
Movable Twelfth Holidays
Palm Sunday (Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem) — April 13. This feast marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Ascension of the Lord — May 29. Celebrated on the 40th day after Easter in remembrance of Jesus' ascension into heaven.
Pentecost (Feast of the Holy Spirit, Green Holidays) — June 8. Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, considered the beginning of the Church.
Fixed Twelfth Holidays
Nativity of the Theotokos — September 8.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross — September 14.
Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple — November 21.
Nativity of Christ — December 25.
Theophany (Baptism of the Lord) — January 6.
— February 2. Annunciation of the Theotokos — March 25.
Transfiguration of the Lord — August 6.
Assumption of the Theotokos — August 15.
These dates follow the new Julian calendar, which shifts the fixed feasts 13 days earlier compared to the Julian calendar.
Other Important Holidays
Besides the Twelfth Holidays, the UGCC commemorates a number of other significant dates that hold special importance for believers:
Circumcision of the Lord — January 1. This day also honors Saint Basil the Great.
Nativity of John the Baptist — June 24.
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul — June 29.
Beheading of John the Baptist — August 29.
Protection of the Theotokos — October 1.
These holidays carry deep spiritual significance and are often accompanied by festive liturgies and special traditions such as blessing of fruits or water sanctification.
Fasts in 2025
Fasting is an essential part of the spiritual life of Greek Catholics. In 2025, the main multi-day fasts will occur during the following periods:
Great Lent — from March 3 to April 19. This period prepares believers for Easter (April 20) and is a time of penitence and spiritual cleansing.
Petrov Fast — from June 16 to July 11. Precedes the feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
Assumption Fast — from August 1 to August 14. Dedicated to preparing for the Assumption of the Theotokos.
Christmas Fast — from November 15 to December 24. Also known as Philip's Fast, it prepares for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ.
One-day fasts are traditionally observed on Wednesdays and Fridays, except during continuous weeks such as Holy Week or the Christmas season (December 25 – January 7). On Christmas Day (December 25) and Theophany (January 6), if they fall on a Wednesday or Friday, fasting is not observed. On eve days (January 5 and December 24), as well as on the feast days of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) and the Beheading of John the Baptist (August 29), it is permitted to eat with oil.
Memorial Days
Memorial Saturdays, or parental Saturdays, are days of special remembrance for the deceased. In 2025, the exact dates may vary depending on local traditions, but they usually fall on Saturdays before major feasts such as Pentecost or Meat Fare Sunday. For precise dates, it is recommended to consult the parish calendar or official UGCC sources.
Special Events and Traditions
The Greek Catholic calendar not only determines the dates of feasts but also reflects a rich spiritual and cultural tradition. For example:
Nativity of Christ (December 25): Celebrations include the Christmas Eve supper with 12 meatless dishes, caroling, and festive services.
Easter (April 20): The central event of the year, including blessing of Easter baskets, painted eggs, and solemn liturgies.
Advent (Christmas Fast): Begins on November 15 and is a time of preparation for Christmas through prayer, fasting, and good deeds.
Feast of the Theotokos (January 1): Opens the year with special veneration of the Virgin Mary.
Additionally, in 2025, various parishes of the UGCC will host special events such as the Way of the Cross (for example, April 13 in Lviv) and thanksgiving liturgies, such as those for the establishment of the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders (April 17, Lviv).
The Greek Catholic ecclesiastical calendar for 2025 serves as a guide for believers’ spiritual lives, combining centuries-old traditions with modern realities thanks to the revised Julian calendar. From the Twelfth Holidays to fasting periods and memorial days, each event carries profound significance, guiding believers toward prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth. For detailed planning, it is advised to refer to official UGCC sources such as the website ugcc.ua or local parishes to obtain a complete calendar with regional features.
