Political Correctness in Ukraine

This is the worst kind of Political Correctness. Fear of offending who? Are Protestants "anti-baptism"? Is there a large Muslim populace I'm not aware of? They shouldn't be too fearful as they can always re-emphasize the holiday into something completely different like we did for Christmas. Just let Coca Cola design a mascot for you and find a reason to give free stuff away and everyone will be happy.

(UOC News) - In 2008 the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian nation will celebrate the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus by the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir. Adopting Christianity by Kyivan Rus was the event of greatest significance not for the Church only, but for the Ukrainian state as well. The Baptism led to creation of the ancient Russian written language and literature, advancement of education in our land, development of visual art and architecture. Christianity advanced consolidation of the ancient Russian society, development of the native legislation, had an influence upon the economic life, brought high ideals of the Christian morals to Rus. Due to the Baptism Kyivan Rus entered the family of the Christian states of the Europe and Kyiv became one of the leading Christian European capitals.

To mark deservedly the role of the Holy Prince Vladimir by whose labours our motherland was baptized, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church more than once turned to various governmental departments with request to grant the commemoration day of the Holy Prince Vladimir (July 28) the status of the state holiday - the Day of Baptism of Kyivan Rus. First this idea was expressed by the representatives of our church 15 years ago. Since then the initiative of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was discussed at many of the church and social forums and gained wide public support.

But unfortunately we experience resistance to this idea on the part of some state institutions. In particular, the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance in its letter to the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 10.06.2008 (№ 01/514-2) expresses opinion that the new holiday "will not become a holiday of national reconciliation", "will bring about discord to the society" and "offend the religious feelings of other confessions".

We'd like to note that the arguments of the kind are artificial and groundless since none of religious communities in Ukraine expressed criticism of the idea of celebration of the commemoration day of the Holy Prince Vladimir at the state level. Moreover, this suggestion of our Church was supported by the Christian confessions in Ukraine and by the political and state leaders.

Therefore, on the eve of celebration of the great anniversary of 1020 years of the Baptism of Rus the Ukrainian Orthodox Church addresses you once again with request to grant the commemoration day of the Holy Prince Vladimir the status of the state holiday - the Day of Baptism of Kyivan Rus. We are sure that worthy commemoration of the memory of the Holy Baptiser of Rus will foster consolidation of the Ukrainian society, the processes of spiritual and national revival.