Which liturgical calendar is legitimate in the Orthodox Church? New or Old Julian?

[TaiKamiya720]

I've noticed that some Orthodox Churches have different calendars. The Orthodox Church I go to celebrates Christmas on December 25 since it follows the New Calendar, but I also noticed that some Orthodox Churches stay on the Old Julian Calendar, because earlier last month, in January, I've noticed a form posted here on CF, "Christ is Born!, Glorify Him."on January 7. I know that some Orthodox Churches like the Russian and Ukranian Orthodox Churches, ROCOR, and certain ACROD parishes celebrate Christmas/Nativity on January 7. Because some Orthodox Christians say that the Old Calendar is still the official calendar of the Church and that the Revised Julian Calendar was invented by a Freemason, which I don't think is really true. Plus I also read some convincing evidence from the Orthodox Christians who defend the Old Calendar: The Traditional Calendar of the Orthodox Church: Observations About its Meaning
So now I can't decide which Orthodox Church parish I should attend in my area. Do the canons of the Orthodox Church really sanction which specific Liturgical calendar is to be followed?

 

[prodromos]

Both

 

[RobNJ]

The one chosen by the Canonical Jurisdiction to which your local church belongs.

 

[Orthodoxjay1]

While I lean towards the old, there nothing heretical or non-canonical of the new Calendar. Unless your under a schismatic group, we are in communion with each other. It hard being a moderate Conservative balancing these issues without schism, especially being in GOARCH!

 

[prodromos]

Personally I would prefer we were all on the "Old Calendar", but as my Church is on the "New Calendar", that is what I follow.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I prefer the Old, but I am on the New. the point is to be in the canonical Church. if you feel better on the Old, go to a canonical Old Calendar Church.

 

[khristosanesti]

Either are legitimate, but I prefer the Old Calendar and simply don't see any need for the New Calendar. The vast majority of Orthodox Christians are in OC Churches and I think we should all celebrate together.

The Church of Poland went back to the Old Calendar after 75 years on the New Calendar for that reason. It's more important for Orthodox Christians in Poland to celebrate the feast days and Christmas with their Orthodox brothers not their Roman Catholic and Protestant neighbors.

 

[ZaidaBoBaida]

Hubman asked me why my church doesn't keep the old calendar for Christmas - I told him that I suspected that it is because December 25 is when people are actually off from work. I asked my priest and she gave me a long answer that went right over my head, and at the end said.... "and December 25th is when people have off."

 

[Sword of the Lord]

Hubman asked me why my church doesn't keep the old calendar for Christmas - I told him that I suspected that it is because December 25 is when people are actually off from work. I asked my priest and she gave me a long answer that went right over my head, and at the end said.... "and December 25th is when people have off."

Is "she" a typo?

 

[SeraphimSarov]

Is "she" a typo?

Well, her faith icon says "Eastern Orthodox," and there's no such thing as a female priest in Orthodoxy, so...

 

[prodromos]

Is "she" a typo?

Nah, ZaidaBoBaida is just trolling

 

[SeraphimSarov]

Nah, ZaidaBoBaida is just trolling

Obvious troll is obvious!

 

[Light of the East]

I don't understand something about this whole calendar debate (I am NOT try to start an argument here, please!)....

if the Gregorian calendar is proven to be more scientifically accurate in that it doesn't lose so many minutes every year, then why do the Orthodox not have the humility to say "Meeeeea...we screwed up." and drop the Julian calendar?

I mean, if the world goes another 10,000 years, the Orthodox will be having Christmas in July.

Is it just stubborn anti-papalism, or is there a good reason for it?

 

[ArmyMatt]

I don't understand something about this whole calendar debate (I am NOT try to start an argument here, please!)....

if the Gregorian calendar is proven to be more scientifically accurate in that it doesn't lose so many minutes every year, then why do the Orthodox not have the humility to say "Meeeeea...we screwed up." and drop the Julian calendar?

I mean, if the world goes another 10,000 years, the Orthodox will be having Christmas in July.

Is it just stubborn anti-papalism, or is there a good reason for it?

in certain ways, the old can be argued to be more Liturgically correct. and some folks don't like the way the new was seen to have been forced on folks as well.

there are saints on both, so it's no big deal.

 

[prodromos]

Neither calendar is accurate.

 

[SeraphimSarov]

and some folks don't like the way the new was seen to have been forced on folks as well.

That's the problem I have with the New Calendar.

 

[ZaidaBoBaida]

Yes, "she" was a typo. Shall I confess to Father that I accidently called him a she on some internet forum.

 

[SeraphimSarov]

I apologize if I offended you. That definitely was not my intent.