The arrival of a new year is always special, and the celebrations are different all throughout the world. Get a unique glimpse into traditions this year with Orthodox New Year – or Old New Year, as many call it – on January 14th!
Although this day holds significance to many countries as they celebrate the New Year, it is actually based on the Julian calendar which was used until 1752 in Great Britain. Take a look at how this holiday has been observed since then and be part of its contemporary celebration!
What is the Orthodox New Year?
The Orthodox New Year is celebrated on the 1st of September in most Orthodox Christian countries. It is also known as the ‘Indiction’, which is derived from the Latin word ‘indictio’, meaning announcement or declaration.
This date was originally used to calculate the tax cycle and ownership of land in Byzantium. The indiction began on 25 March—what was then New Year’s Day—and lasted for 15 months until 25 June. This system was adopted by countries under Byzantine rule, such as Bulgaria, Serbia and Russia.
In recent years, the Orthodox New Year has become more widely known and celebrated outside of Orthodox countries. Many non-Orthodox Christians celebrate it as a cultural holiday, with some adopting traditions from their Orthodox friends and family members.
History of the Old New Year
The Old New Year is celebrated on the night of January 13 / January 14 in countries with an Orthodox religious tradition. In these countries, the Gregorian calendar is used for civil purposes while the Julian calendar is used for religious purposes. The use of two different calendars has led to some confusion over the years, but the general consensus is that the Old New Year falls on january 13 under the Julian calendar.
The origins of the Old New Year are unclear, but it is believed to date back to pre-Christian times. In pagan Russia, it was customary to celebrate the winter solstice with a 12-day festival known asYolka. This festival coincided with the Christian holiday of Christmas, and when Christianity began to spread through Russia, many pagan customs were incorporated into the new religion. As a result, the Old New Year became a amalgamation of pagan and Christian traditions.
In more recent history, the Old New Year was made official in 1708 by Peter the Great. At this time, Russia was using both the Julian and Gregorian calendars, and Peter decreed that all official documents would be dated according to the new system. However, many people continued to celebrate according to the old calendar, which led to two different New Years being celebrated in Russia for many years.
The Soviet Union officially adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1918, but many Orthodox Christians continued to celebrate according to the Julian calendar. As a result, both New Years were celebrated throughout Russia and other former Soviet countries, as well as other countries with a large Orthodox population. In some areas, the Old New Year has become more important than the traditional New Year and is celebrated with grand feasts, gift exchanges, fireworks and festive music.
Celebrating the Old New Year Versus the Modern calendar
The Orthodox New Year is celebrated on the first day of the year according to the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used in much of the world. This means that Orthodox New Year falls on January 14th on the modern calendar.
Orthodox Christians believe that the world was created on September 1st, 7,600 years ago according to the Julian calendar. So, for them, 2016 is actually 7608! This makes Orthodox New Year a very special occasion for celebrating both the old and the new.
On Orthodox New Year’s Eve, people gather with their families and friends to enjoy a meal and reminisce about the past year. At midnight, everyone breaks out into cheers and wishes each other a Happy New Year. Gifts are often exchanged as well.
Many Orthodox Churches hold special services on New Year’s Day. These may include prayers for guidance in the coming year, as well as readings from Scripture about God’s promises for His people. Whether you celebrate Orthodox New Year or not, we can all benefit from taking some time to reflect on where we have been and where we are going in life!
Common Customs and Practices of Orthodox New Year
There are many customs and practices associated with Orthodox New Year. Here are some of the most common:
-Fasting prior to the feast day. This is typically done for 40 days before the feast, but can vary depending on local traditions.
-Attending religious services. This is often done on the eve of the holiday and on the morning of the holiday itself.
-Decorating homes and churches with greenery. This symbolizes new life and is meant to bring good luck in the coming year.
-Eating special foods. Many Orthodox Christians abstain from meat and dairy during the fast, so feasts often feature fish or vegetarian dishes. Other traditional foods include honey and poppyseed kolachkes (cookies) and vasilopita (a cake with a coin hidden inside).
-Giving gifts. Exchange of gifts is a common practice on Orthodox New Year, especially between family members and close friends. Gifts are often symbolic, such as a book for someone who loves to read or a gold coin for good luck in the new year.
Foods Commonly Served During Orthodox New Year
Orthodox New Year, or Новый Год in Russian, is celebrated on the Julian calendar which falls on January 14th according to the Gregorian calendar. In addition to traditionalNew Year’s activities like Parties and gift giving, there are also specific foods that are commonly served during this holiday.
Some of these foods include:
-Pelmeni: A type of dumpling typically filled with meat (usually pork) and served with sour cream.
-Vareniki: Another type of dumpling that can be sweet or savory. The dough is similar to that of pelmeni, but the fillings can be anything from fruit to potatoes.
-Solyanka: A thick soup usually made with pickled cabbage, meats, and spices.
-Olivye: A salad made with boiled potatoes, eggs, peas, carrots, and apples. This dish is often served as a side.
-Herring under a fur coat: Layered salad consisting of herring, veggies, mayo, and beets. This dish gets its name from its colorful layers which resemble a fur coat.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Observing Orthodox New Year
Orthodox New Year is celebrated on September 1st in countries with an Orthodox Christian population. The day commemorates the creation of the world according to the Julian calendar, which predates the Gregorian calendar currently in use.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to observing Orthodox New Year. One advantage is that it allows Orthodox Christians to celebrate their own new year independently from the rest of the world. This can be a good thing for those who want to maintain their cultural traditions and not get swept up in the secular celebration of New Year’s Eve. Another advantage is that it gives people a chance to reflect on the year past and set goals for the year ahead without getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of holiday parties and shopping.
Disadvantages of celebrating Orthodox New Year include the fact that it can be isolating for those who don’t have friends or family members who celebrate it with them. It can also be difficult to find traditional foods and decorations if you live in a non-Orthodox country. Finally, because Orthodox New Year falls after most other major holidays, it can sometimes be overshadowed and forgotten about altogether.
How to Participate in the Orthodox New Year Celebrations
The Orthodox New Year is a special time to celebrate with family and friends. Here are some tips on how to participate in the festivities:
1. Decorate your home with Orthodox New Year symbols. This can include items like an icon of the Nativity scene, candles, greenery, and festive foods.
2. Plan ahead for any special meals or feasts you want to enjoy during the holidays. Make sure to have all the ingredients on hand so everything goes smoothly.
3. Attend church service on New Year’s Eve or Day. This is a great way to start off the year on a spiritual note.
4. Take part in traditional activities like singing carols, exchanging gifts, and decorating an Orthodox New Year tree. These activities help bring about a festive atmosphere and create lasting memories.
5. Spend time with loved ones reflecting on the past year and setting goals for the new one ahead. Make sure to take plenty of photos or videos to capture all the special moments!
Overall, the Orthodox New Year is an enjoyable and meaningful way for Orthodox Christians to celebrate the beginning of a new year. Orthodox Christians enjoy fellowship with friends and family, exchange wishes with each other, prepare special dishes that are enjoyed during this time, give thanks to God for their blessings throughout the past year and plan resolutions for a better future. Truly celebrating this event requires understanding of its tradition and symbolism as well as engaging in some if not all of its rituals. This can be done by visiting or participating in celebrations or simply learning more about it so that you too can gain appreciation for what it stands for!
